The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that appearing in the first board examination will be mandatory for all Class 10 students from 2026 onwards. Students who fail to attempt at least three subjects in the first edition will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category, officials said.
CBSE has decided to conduct two board examinations for Class 10 starting from the 2026 academic session. The clarification came after the board received requests stating that some students, due to certain reasons, may not be able to appear in the first board examination and should therefore be allowed to directly sit for the second edition.
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj stated that it is compulsory for all students to appear in the first board examination.
“All passed and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages,” he said.
He further clarified that students who do not appear in three or more subjects in the first examination will not be permitted to sit for the second examination. Such candidates will be categorized under “Essential Repeat” and will have to reappear in the main board examinations scheduled in February of the following year.
The board emphasized that the new two-exam system aims to provide students with an opportunity to improve their performance while maintaining academic discipline and examination standards.
