CBSE Clarifies Two Board Examinations Scheme for Class X from 2026, First Exam Mandatory, Improvement Allowed in Second Phase
New Delhi, Feb 16: The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued a notification clarifying the scheme of two Board Examinations for Class X from the academic session 2026.
According to the notification, it will be mandatory for all students to appear in the first Board Examination. Students who pass and are eligible will be permitted to improve their performance in any three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages.
The Board clarified that students who fail to appear in three or more subjects in the first examination will not be allowed to sit in the second examination. Such students will be placed in the Essential Repeat category and can appear only in the main examinations scheduled for February of the following year.
Students who secure a compartment in the first examination will be eligible to appear in the second examination under the compartment category. However, additional subjects will not be permitted after passing Class X, and students will not be allowed to opt for stand-alone subjects.
The eligibility criteria for appearing in the second examination include improvement in up to three main subjects, first or third chance compartment, and a combination of compartment and improvement. The Board also stated that replacement of subjects passed in the main examination will be treated under the improvement category.
CBSE has further clarified that students who fail to appear in three or more subjects in the main examination will not be permitted to appear in the second Board Examination as per Board policy. Requests seeking relaxation on this ground will not be entertained.
The notification has been issued by the Controller of Examinations. [KNT]
