Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 26: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed a significant shift in the Class 10 board examination system, offering students the option to appear for board exams twice a year starting from 2026.
Under the new system, the first exam will begin on the first Tuesday after February 15 and conclude by March 6. The second phase of the board exam will take place from May 5 to 20.
CBSE officials stated that the move aims to reduce student stress by providing an opportunity to improve results if needed.
On Tuesday evening, CBSE released the proposal for public review on its official website. Stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, and schools, have been invited to share their feedback on the proposed changes by March 9.
Following the consultation process, the responses will be analyzed before finalizing the policy.
The ministry of education emphasized that the proposed system aligns with broader reforms aimed at reducing pressure on students and discouraging reliance on coaching classes.
A key aspect of the proposal includes the flexibility for students to choose whether to appear for one or both board exams. The best score from the two attempts will be considered.
Additionally, the ministry envisions long-term improvements such as modular or semester-based board exams to further distribute academic pressure.
• Offering board exams in certain subjects at two levels, starting with mathematics.
• Redesigning board exams to focus on core competencies rather than rote memorization.
• Introducing objective-type sections, including multiple-choice questions, in some subjects.
The new system will span 34 days, covering exams for 84 subjects. In 2026, approximately 26.60 lac students are expected to appear for the CBSE class 10 exams.
CBSE has categorized Class 10 subjects into four groups:
1. Elective Group: science, mathematics, and social science.
2. Regional and Foreign Languages: Includes French, Sanskrit, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Spanish, and others.
Exams for elective subjects will be conducted within 2-3 days, based on student combinations and preferences.
CBSE reiterated that while board exams for classes 10 and 12 will continue, reforms will be introduced to make assessments more holistic, reducing the burden on students while ensuring better learning outcomes.