CBSE has clarified that students who are absent in three or more subjects in the first board exam (February session) will be ineligible to appear in second board exam (May session). Know important details on compartment eligibility, essential repeat students, and who can improve their scores in board exams.
CBSE Board Exam 2026: Central Board of Secondary Education has announced new guidelines for students planning to appear in second board exam scheduled in May 2026 during a national webinar on November 20. Under the new CBSE two-board exam system, only students who are absent in up to two subjects in the first board exam (February session) will be allowed to appear in the second exam (May session).
The board has clearly mentioned that students who are absent in three or more subjects in the first board exam will not be allowed to appear in the May exam. These students will get an 'Essential Repeat' status and have to appear in next year.
Further, students who fail in upto two subjects can appear for the compartment exam. Also note that students who wish to improve their marks can appear in the CBSE Class 10 second exam, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
CBSE 2-Board Exams 2026: What Students Must Know?
The board have notified that second board exam is not a substitute for first board exam. It is an opportunity for students who missed their exam for genuine reasons or those who want to improve their scores.
Moreover, CBSE will not conduct the second board exam for every subject. It will only be held for subjects where more than 50% of marks are from the external paper (the written board exam).
During the webinar, CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh also said that board expects up to 40% of students to appear in each subject during second board exam.
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