The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is bringing in a massive transformation to its framework for evaluating pupils over the academic year. This new change is in line with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
One aspect of this transformation is the announcement of the CBSE board exams for classes 10 and 12 being held two times in a year from the academic year 2025-26. But how will this new system work? Well, if you’re an educator, parent, or student wondering about it, this article is just for you.
Why CBSE Introduced Two Board Exams a Year?
Addressing Exam Stress
The Indian education system has been criticized for following the model of ‘one exam decides everything’. Students have been getting just one shot to perform flawlessly and meet the expectations of their parents and educators. However, the pressure to perform well in just one exam has often been seen to lead to anxiety, burnout, and sometimes, unfair outcomes.
With the introduction of two board exams for Class 10 CBSE, the board aims at reducing that pressure and the resulting anxiety.
Aligning with the New Education Policy 2020
The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocated for an education system that is focused on the learner and is a little more flexible. Furthermore, it wants to offer several opportunities to the students to excel in the area they wish to.
With the introduction of two board exams in one year, the attempt is to offer that particular opportunity to students to try and improve their performance within the same academic year. Which means that the students don’t have to go through the hurt and desperation of waiting an entire year to do better.
How Will the New Board Exam System Work?
In the 2025-26 academic session, here’s how the two-board exam system will work:
Exam Timeline
- First CBSE Board Exam (Mandatory): Scheduled to be held from February 17, 2026, to March 6, 2026. It will be mandatory for all students to appear for this phase of the board examinations.
- Second CBSE Board Exam (Optional): To be held in May 2026, the second phase of CBSE board exams gives the students an opportunity to retake the exam and improve their scores in up to three subjects.
Mandatory vs Optional
- February Board Examinations: Every student must appear in this phase of the examination.
- May Board Examinations: Students who are not satisfied with how their examination went in February can retake the examination in three subjects.
Result Schedule
- The first phase of the CBSE board examinations will be held in February 2026.
- The second phase, on the other hand, will be held in May 2026.
Internal Assessments
Although the board examinations will be held twice for CBSE board students from the ongoing academic year, the internal assessment will only be conducted once.
Benefits of Two Board Exams: For Students, Parents, and Teachers
Reduced Exam Anxiety
Knowing there’s a second chance to improve takes a significant amount of pressure off students, leading to better mental health and performance.
Promotes Consistent Learning
The new format discourages last-minute cramming. Students are more likely to prepare throughout the year, knowing they may revisit the syllabus later.
Fairer Evaluation
This system minimizes the impact of an off-day, illness, or emotional stress that might affect performance in a single-exam system.
Better Academic Planning for Parents
Parents can help their children plan smarter by choosing whether or not to reappear for specific subjects based on performance and future goals.
More Time for Teachers to Focus on Teaching
Teachers get more flexibility in preparing students for assessments, and better clarity about which students need targeted support post the first exam.
How is NAVNEET TOPTECH Adapting?
At NAVNEET TOPTECH, we understand that educational reforms must be supported by effective teaching tools and timely updates.
As the Central Board of Secondary Education embraces a new dual-exam system, we are proactively evolving to meet the needs of teachers and students alike.
Here are some ways we strive to do that:
- Updated Content: All learning material is aligned with the latest CBSE guidelines and NEP 2020.
- Dual Exam Readiness: Tools and content now support both February and May board exams.
- Teacher Support: Over 75,000 teachers trained through onboarding sessions and workshops.
- Smart Tools: AI-powered assessments, real-time dashboards, and performance insights for improvement.
NAVNEET TOPTECH ensures no teacher is left behind, offering timely updates, smart tech, and all-around academic support in this new era.
Be Prepared for the CBSE Two-Exam System
With the CBSE board exams being held twice in one year, aligning with the vision of NEP 2020, students are sure to feel a lot less stress about the board examinations. And with partners like NAVNEET TOPTECH, all stakeholders within the educational ecosystem will get a better chance to plan, innovate, and support education.
So, will the two-board exam system realize the vision of NEP of a more flexible and learner-friendly education system? Only time will tell. But it surely comes as a relief for students and offers the much-needed breathing space in a system which erstwhile inclined towards a rigid ‘one big exam’ model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When will the CBSE two-board exam system start?
The CBSE two-exam system will begin from the academic year 2025–26 for Class 10 and Class 12 students. The first board exam will be conducted in February 2026, followed by an optional second exam in May 2026.
Q2. Is the second CBSE board exam compulsory for all students?
No, the second board exam is not mandatory. All students must appear for the first exam in February, but the second exam in May is optional and only for those who want to improve their scores in up to three subjects.
Q3. Will CBSE conduct internal assessments twice under the new system?
No, even with two board exams, internal assessments will only be conducted once per academic year. This keeps the evaluation process streamlined for schools while maintaining a single internal evaluation.
Q4. Can a student reappear for all subjects in the second CBSE board exam?
No, students can reappear for a maximum of three subjects in the second exam. This gives them a focused opportunity to improve their scores without retaking the entire set of board exams.
