CBSE Class X college students can skip topics, retake exams underneath new norms
NEW DELHI: Beginning in 2026, college students showing for the Class X Board examinations underneath the Central Board of Secondary Training (CBSE) can have the flexibleness to decide on between two examination periods — one in February 2026 and one other in Could 2026. Candidates may even have the choice to seem for each examinations if they need. Moreover, college students can be allowed to skip particular topics within the second try if they’re already happy with the scores they’ve achieved within the first examination in addition to explicit topic(s) within the first try as effectively.
On Tuesday, CBSE authorised draft norms for implementing the twice-a-year Board examination system. These draft norms have been made obtainable for public overview, permitting stakeholders to supply recommendations and suggestions till March 9. Primarily based on the acquired inputs, the ultimate coverage can be decided and formally carried out.
As beforehand reported by The Instances of India, the primary section of the Class X Board examinations can be carried out from February 17 to March 6, 2026, whereas the second section will happen from Could 5 to Could 20, 2026. Each examinations will comply with the prevailing full syllabus and prescribed textbooks. The examination centres allotted to college students will stay the identical throughout each editions.
Relating to examination charges, CBSE has determined to extend the charges, which can be collected on the time of software submitting for each makes an attempt.
The Board has clarified that no separate supplementary exams can be carried out underneath this method. As a substitute, the second session of the Board examination (Could 2026) will function the supplementary examination for many who want to enhance their scores. There can be no provision for particular examinations in any circumstances.
The choice to conduct Class X Board exams twice a 12 months aligns with the suggestions of the Nationwide Training Coverage (NEP) 2020, which instructed that the “high-stakes” nature of board exams needs to be decreased. To implement this, college students at the moment are being given the chance to seem for board exams on two events throughout a single educational 12 months.
In accordance with the newly proposed norms, the record of candidates (LOC) can be finalised in September of the previous 12 months. Because of this for the February 2026 examination, the record can be finalised by September 2025. No new candidates can be allowed to register for the Could 2026 examination in the event that they weren’t a part of the September 2025 record.
CBSE has additional said that after the LOC is finalised, candidates won’t be permitted to alter their topics. Nevertheless, there may be some flexibility in topic choice. If a candidate needs to change their topic decisions, they will skip a topic within the first examination (February-March) and go for a distinct topic within the second examination (Could). Nevertheless, if a candidate completes all topics within the first examination, they should take the identical set of topics within the second examination in the event that they select to reappear.
The brand new examination framework categorises topics into seven teams: Language 1, Language 2, Elective 1, Elective 2, Elective 3, Regional and International Languages, and Remaining Topics.
For sensible and inside assessments, the Board has determined that these evaluations can be carried out solely as soon as per educational 12 months. No separate certificates can be issued after the completion of the primary examination in February-March.
The ultimate passing certificates and marksheet can be issued solely after the Could examination. This doc will embody the marks obtained in each examination periods (if the candidate appeared in each) in addition to the most effective of the 2 scores for every topic.
By providing college students this flexibility, CBSE goals to scale back stress and strain whereas making certain that college students have a number of alternatives to realize their absolute best scores.
