CBSE mulls 2 exams for class 10th students to improve academic performance

Srinagar, Feb 26: The Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE), New Delhi, has framed a new draft policy in line with National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, wherein it is mulling to hold two examinations for class 10th students in a year from 2025-26 academic session.

As per the official document, a meeting in this regard was held in the Ministry of Education (MoE), chaired by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The decision has been taken to provide an opportunity for the students to improve their academic performance.

“Students will have an opportunity to improve their performance in the board examinations,” the official document reads.

During the meeting, it was decided that in class 10th, two board examinations will be conducted from 2025-26 for which a draft policy will be developed by the authorities.

As per the public notice issued, CBSE has prepared a draft policy which is available on the CBSE website for response from all stakeholders including schools, teachers, parents, students, and the general public,” the document reads.

“Stakeholders may respond to the draft policy by March 9, 2025. The response will be scrutinised and policy be finalised accordingly,” it reads.

As per the draft scheme of examination prepared by the CBSE, conducting two exams will further eliminate the ‘high stakes’ aspect of the board exams and all the students will be allowed to take board exams on up to two occasions during any given school year including one main examination and one for improvement, if desired.

“It is proposed that the scheme be implemented from the 2026 examinations of class 10th. Class 10th and 12th examinations will begin on the first Tuesday after February 15,” the draft scheme, available on the CBSE website, reads.

As per the scheme, 26.60 lakh students are expected to write class 10 exams in 2026 while 20 lakh students are expected to appear in class 12th examinations.

“Both the examinations will be conducted on the full current syllabus and the textbooks. After submission of LOC, no change in the subjects offered will be allowed. This will be considered only in the second examination,” it reads.

As per the proposed scheme, filling out the LOC for the first examination will be compulsory while options for both examinations will be obtained in the LOC when filling for the first examination.

“No new name will be added to the LOC of the second examination,” it reads.