CBSE Says: First Board Exam Compulsory, Second Only for Improvement
CBSE has warned that missing three or more subjects in the first Board exam will make the student ineligible for the second Board exam in that given school year
Feb 18, 2026 - The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is conducting Board exams for Classes 10 and 12 from February 17 across India and multiple international centres. The 2026 exam is also the first of CBSE’s two-Board exam policy for Class 10 with students being provided with a second optional exam for improving in up to three subjects. Therefore, from the current academic session, it will be one main examination and one for improvement, if so desired by the student.
However, and importantly, the Board has made it clear that it is mandatory for all students to appear for the first Board exams. The second exam will be for all passed and eligible students who will be given another chance to improve their score in any of the three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages. Additionally, students whose result in the first examination is Compartment will be allowed to appear in the second Board examination under Compartment Category.
CBSE has warned that missing three or more subjects in the first Board exam will make the student ineligible for the second Board exam in that given school year.
In a circular dated February 14, 2026, CBSE has issued a clarification to requests received from students who say they will not be able to appear for the first Board exams of Class 10 and therefore, be allowed to appear in the second Board exam
The Board authorities have emphasised that it is mandatory for all students to appear in the first Board exam. A student who fails to appear in three or more subjects in the first Board exam, will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category and will be allowed to take the exam only next year in February of 2027 in the main examination.
Furthermore, no exam in stand-alone subjects will be allowed and Additional Subjects will not be permitted after passing Class 10.
Eligibility for Second Board Exam:
- Improvement category in up to three main subjects.
- Compartment plus improvement.
- First/Third Chance Compartment
- Improvement for the students passed by replacement of the subject.
The second Board exam will be held later this year in May and the results declared in June.
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