Bhubaneswar: From the upcoming academic year (2025-26), the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce a reformed examination system for Class 10 students. To reduce academic pressure, students will have the opportunity to take two board exams in a year. One will be the main exam, while the other will be for improvement purposes. The second exam will be optional, allowing students to appear if they wish to improve their scores. A draft proposal regarding this reform has been prepared by CBSE, and feedback has been invited from schools, teachers, parents, students, and the general public. The deadline for submitting opinions is March 9, as per the official CBSE notification issued today.
One Exam is Mandatory, the Other is Optional
The new system aims to reduce exam-related stress for Class 10 students. They will have the flexibility to appear for two board exams in a year, and the higher score among the two will be considered for the final result.
The first board exam will be conducted in February, and the second in May.
The marks from the higher-scoring exam will be used for certification.
If a student fails the first exam but passes the second, they will still be considered qualified.
Impact on Coaching Culture and Future Exam Reforms
This change is expected to reduce the dependence on coaching centers and create a more balanced academic environment. In the future, CBSE may also explore annual, semester-based, or modular board exam systems. The introduction of two board exams per year will allow students more time to study, improve their performance, and reduce the burden of a single high-stakes exam.
CBSE will structure the board exams in two phases to facilitate this new approach.