In a significant change to India’s school examination system, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved a biannual board exam format for Class 10 students starting from 2026, Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj announced on Tuesday.
Under the new guidelines, students will be required to appear in the first phase of the Class 10 board exams, while the second phase will be optional.
“The first phase will be mandatory and its results will be declared in April, while those who wish to improve their scores can appear for the second phase, whose results will be announced in June,” said Bhardwaj.
This move aligns with the broader vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to reduce high-stakes pressure and provide multiple opportunities for students to perform to their best potential.
In another key clarification, internal assessments will be conducted only once, regardless of whether a student appears in one or both exam phases.
This reform is expected to allow students to better manage exam stress and focus on improvement without being limited to a single board exam attempt each year.
The detailed framework, including evaluation policies and syllabus bifurcation, is expected to be issued closer to the 2026 academic year.