CBSE Board 2026: Key rule changes to note

With the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Board exams approaching, anticipation and nervousness are rising among students and parents across the country. The Class 10 and Class 12 Boards for 2026 will commence on February 17. According to the official schedule, Class 10 exams will conclude by March 11, while Class 12 exams will continue until April 10.  

Several reforms aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 are being implemented together for the first time, introducing important structural and assessment-related changes.

One of the major highlights is the introduction of a two-Board-exam system for Class 10. The first exam, scheduled from February 17 to March 9, is mandatory for all students. A second exam, to be conducted between May 15 and June 1, will be optional. Students may reappear for up to three subjects, and the higher score from the two attempts will be considered in the final result.

The Board has also clarified rules regarding failure and compartments. Students failing in one or two subjects will be placed in the compartment category and allowed to appear in the second examination. However, those failing or missing three or more subjects will have to wait until the next academic year to reappear.

Internal assessment has been strengthened and will now be treated as a continuous two-year process rather than a one-time evaluation. Attendance remains crucial, with a minimum of 75% required to be eligible for the Boards.

Students must also follow section-wise answer-writing instructions carefully, especially in Science and Social Science papers, as mixing sections or answering in the wrong order may lead to loss of marks.

Private candidates will no longer be permitted to register for additional subjects beyond those already chosen.

Schools have been directed to ensure proper infrastructure, qualified faculty, and approved subject offerings to maintain fairness and academic standards.