CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Changes; What's new in CBSE Board Exam Twice Proposal Draft
The Board has proposed a draft to conduct CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Twice a year. Below is a summary of the proposed changes that will impact students appearing for the 2026 Class 10 Board Exams.
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Twice: Know the Proposed Changes
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Changes: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a draft proposal which includes significant CBSE Academic Changes for the upcoming CBSE 10th Board exams 2026. One of the most notable changes is the introduction of the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams Twice-A-Year Examination System. Below is a summary of the proposed CBSE Academic Changes 2026 that will impact students appearing for the 2026 Class 10 Board Exams.
Also Read: CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Twice A Year: Tentative Class 10 Date Sheet for Phase 1 & 2 Exams
CBSE Class 10 Board Exams Twice: Key Highlights of Proposed Scheme
2026 Board Exam Date Class 10 and Structure: CBSE Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year – The CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 first phase will be conducted from February 17 to March 6, 2026, and the CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 second phase will be conducted from May 5 to May 20, 2026. The CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026 will be conducted in two shifts, and approximately 26.60 lakh students are expected to appear for the Class 10 exams.
Syllabus and Subjects: Both exams will be conducted based on the full current CBSE 10th syllabus and prescribed textbooks.
Given below is the exam structure of CBSE class 10 social science 2025. Students can refer to it to plan their preparation:
Section | No. of questions | Type of questions | Marks per question | Total weightage (marks) |
A | 20 | MCQs | 1 | 20 |
B | 4 | Very short answer type questions | 2 | 8 |
C | 5 | Short answer type questions | 3 | 15 |
D | 4 | Long answer type questions | 5 | 20 |
E | 3 | Case based questions | 4 | 12 |
F | 1 | Map based | 5 | 5 |
Total | 37 |
|
| 80 |
The alterations in the CBSE question paper format involve an increase in the weightage of competency based questions and MCQs. Thus, there will be a lesser number of short and long answer questions as compared to the previous years’ exams.
The Board is initiating potential changes in the Examination and Assessment practices for the academic session 2025 in line with the recommendations mentioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The major features of CBSE 10th exam pattern 2025 are:
Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
Constructed response questions (Short Answer/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%
Core subjects like Science, Maths, Social Science, Hindi, and English will be held on fixed days, similar to the current exam system.
Other subjects such as regional languages, foreign languages, and vocational subjects, will be grouped differently.
- Regional and Foreign languages will be tested on a single day.
- Remaining subjects (e.g., Data Science, Computer Applications) will be conducted on 2 or 3 days, with subject-specific dates decided by CBSE based on student preferences.
Subject Groupings
- Subjects will be divided into specific groups for examination purposes:
- Group 1: Core subjects – English, Maths, Science, Social Science.
- Group 2: Regional languages, Foreign languages, and elective subjects.
- Group 3: Vocational and skill-based subjects like Data Science, IT, Marketing, and more.
Examination Procedure
- The answer sheets of all subjects will be evaluated at the end of both the first and second phases.
- The question papers of vocational and elective subjects will be taken back after the exam for security purposes.
Compulsory LOC Submission
- The List of Candidates (LOC) for the first examination will be completed by September of the previous year. Students will not be able to change subjects after submitting the LOC for the first exam.
No Special Examinations
- There will be no special examinations conducted under any circumstances. Any student who misses the first exam can appear for the second examination.
- The second exam will serve as a supplementary examination for those who fail in the first attempt.
Results and Merit Certificates
- Students will receive a passing certificate after the second examination result, which will include the better of the two marks secured across both attempts.
- Merit certificates will be issued after the second examination, with results for both the first and second phases available through DigiLocker.
Examination Fees
- The examination fee will be enhanced and collected for both examinations when filling out the LOC, which will be non-refundable once paid.
Internal Assessments
- Internal assessments and practical exams will be conducted once and will remain valid for both the first and second phases of the examination.
Changes in Subject Selections
- After the LOC submission, students will not be allowed to change subjects. Subject changes will only be allowed for the second examination, but not for the first.
Improvement Category
- Students who fail in 1 to 5 subjects in the first examination will be placed under the Improvement Category and allowed to reappear in the second examination.
- The second examination will be conducted in July 2026, with results declared soon after.
No Additional Subjects
- Students will not be allowed to add additional subjects after passing the CBSE Class 10 exam. Students can only appear in the first or second examination to improve grades for existing subjects.
Examination Centers
- Students will be assigned fixed examination centers for both phases. The examination center for the first phase will also be applicable for the second phase.
- Only national gazetted holidays will be considered for holidays, and exams will be scheduled accordingly.
Changes Regarding Special Categories
- CWSN Candidates (Children with Special Needs) will continue to receive the same accommodations as before.
- Sports Students will appear in the standard examinations with no separate provisions for them.
Practical Implementation of the Changes
- Schools will be assessed for their ability to become examination centers.
- The examination bye-laws will be revised, and any feedback received after the first implementation will be used to revise and finalize the changes.
This CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 twice-a-year exam proposal by the Board aims to reduce exam pressure, give students more flexibility, and allow them to attempt the exams when they feel more prepared. While this is a significant shift in the examination system, students will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities in the subjects they choose, with a better chance to improve their results.
Yes, students can find the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern 2026 on the official website- cbseacademic.nic.in. They can also check the CBSE 10th exam pattern by clicking on the link provided on this page.
The alterations in the CBSE question paper format involve an increase in the weightage of competency-based questions and MCQs. Thus, there will be a lesser number of short and long answer questions as compared to the previous years’ exams.
The Board is initiating potential changes in the Examination and Assessment practices for the academic session 2026 in line with the recommendations mentioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The major features of CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026 are:
Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50%
Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%
Constructed response questions (Short Answer/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%
Yes, the board has made certain changes in the CBSE exam pattern 2025. For CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2025, question papers will include 40% MCQs (multiple choice questions). 20% will be competency-based questions and the remaining 40% will be subjective or short/long answer type questions.
Yes, CBSE will conduct the CBSE 10th board exams 2026 in February/March 2026 in pen and paper format. The board has released the CBSE 10th syllabus 2026 and exam pattern. The classes have begun so you must focus on your studies and plan finishing your syllabus prior to the preboard examinations.
The proposed changes are yet to be finalized, and CBSE plans to review the feedback before making the system official. The Board has asked the stakeholders, teachers, students, parents, etc. to share their feedback by March 9. A final draft for CBSE 10th Board Exam 2025 Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams will be released based on the feedbacks received.
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 TWICE Proposal Draft
Read More:
You can refer to the pattern listed below for CBSE 10th Science exam 2025:
CBSE Class 10 Science 2025: Topic-wise Weightage
Unit and Topic
Weightage (marks)
Unit 1: Chemical Substances: Nature and Behaviour
25
Unit 2: World of Living
25
Unit 3: Natural Phenomena
12
Unit 4: Effects of Current
13
Unit 5: Natural Resources
5
TOTAL MARKS (THEORY)
80
TOTAL MARKS (INTERNAL ASSESSMENT)
20
GRAND TOTAL
100