The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced major updates for the 2026 board exams. If you are a student in Class 10 or Class 12, or a parent, these changes are very important for you. The biggest news is that Class 10 students will now have the option to take board exams twice a year. For Class 12, the way papers are checked is changing to a digital system.
This article explains everything you need to know about the new exam pattern, dates, and rules in simple words.
Two Board Exams for Class 10: How It Works
Starting from the 2025-26 academic session, CBSE is introducing a “Two Board Exam” system for Class 10 students. This is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to reduce exam stress.
The First Exam (Main) The first board exam will be mandatory for everyone. It is scheduled to begin around February 17, 2026. This will be like the regular annual board exam you are used to.
The Second Exam (Optional) The second exam will be held in May 2026. This exam is not compulsory. It is for students who want to improve their marks. If a student is unhappy with their score in the first exam, they can sit for the second one. The best score out of the two will be considered for the final result.
Changes for Class 12: Digital Marking System
For Class 12 students, there is no “two exams” policy yet. You will still have one main board exam in February. However, the Board has changed how your answer sheets will be checked.
CBSE is introducing On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12. In the past, teachers used to correct physical paper sheets. Now, answer sheets will be scanned, and teachers will correct them digitally on a computer screen. This is done to reduce totaling errors and make the result process faster and more transparent.
New Exam Pattern and Syllabus Updates
The question paper style is also changing to test your real knowledge instead of rote memory.
More Competency-Based Questions For both Class 10 and 12, about 50% of the questions will now be “competency-based.” These include Case Studies, Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), and Source-based questions. These questions test how well you understand the concept, not just how much you memorized.
Syllabus Status The syllabus for the 2026 exams remains almost the same as the previous year. CBSE has not announced any new major reductions. However, students should strictly follow the 2025-26 curriculum available on the official CBSE academic website. Some chapters in Science and Social Science that were deleted earlier remain removed.
Section-Wise Papers for Class 10
Another new rule for Class 10 is the structure of Science and Social Science papers.
Science: The paper will have separate clear sections for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Social Science: There will be separate sections for History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
Checking: These sections will likely be checked by subject-expert teachers (e.g., a Physics teacher will check the Physics section), ensuring better quality evaluation.
Read More : RBI Assistant Notification 2026 Out
Important Dates to Remember (Expected)
Practical Exams: January 1, 2026
Class 10 & 12 Theory Exams Start: February 17, 2026
Class 10 Second Exam (Optional): May 2026
Results: Likely in April (for First Exam) and June (for Second Exam).
What Should Students Do Now?
Since the pattern is shifting towards understanding concepts, students should stop relying only on memorizing notes. Practice more MCQs and case-study questions. Also, check the official CBSE website regularly for the final date sheet, which is usually released in December.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the second board exam compulsory for Class 10?
No, the second exam in May is optional. You only need to take it if you want to improve your marks from the first exam.
Will Class 12 also have two board exams in 2026?
No, for the 2026 session, Class 12 students will have only one annual board exam in February.
What is On-Screen Marking?
It means your handwritten answer sheet will be scanned into a computer. Teachers will check the digital copy on a screen instead of the physical paper. This applies to Class 12.
Has the syllabus changed for 2026?
The syllabus is mostly similar to the last session. Always check the official 2025-26 curriculum on the CBSE website to see which chapters are deleted.
When will the 2026 Date Sheet be released?
CBSE usually releases the official date sheet (timetable) in December 2025