The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has implemented the Two Board Examination system starting from the 2026 exam session, as announced on June 25, 2025. In line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Class 10 students are now given a chance to enhance their scores in up to three subjects through the second board examination scheduled for May 2026.
CBSE Class 10 Results 2026: Track Live Updates
Following the declaration of the Class 10 first examination results on April 15, 2026, students can make an informed decision on whether they wish to appear for the second board exam. As per the notice issued on March 17, schools will submit the list of interested candidates. Students opting for the second examination must remember that changing subjects is not permitted. Additionally, the board will not allow any corrections in student details between the first and second examinations.
Conditions To Appear In Second Exam
The board has set certain mandatory conditions for appearing in the second board examination. Participation in the first board exam is compulsory for all students. As per official guidelines, students who have passed and meet the eligibility criteria can opt to improve their scores in any three subjects among Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages.
Students who receive a Compartment result in the first examination are permitted to appear in the second exam under the Compartment category. However, students who fail to appear in three or more subjects in the first examination will not be eligible for the second exam. Such candidates will only be allowed to appear in the main examination in the following year.
Eligibility Criteria For Appearing In Second Board Exam
- A student must have appeared in at least three subjects in the first main examination.
- The student must have passed Class 10 to apply for improvement.
- A student placed under the Compartment category is eligible.
- Students categorized under Compartment in the 2025 examination are eligible.
- Compartment + Improvement cases are considered.
- First/third chance compartment students are eligible.
- Sports category students with board approval can apply.
- Students who passed by replacing a subject can opt for improvement.
Who Is Not Eligible?
- Students who did not appear in three or more subjects in the 2026 main examination.
- Students who failed in three or more subjects in the first examination.
- Students placed under the ER category.
As per the official notification, candidates appearing for the second board examination are required to pay an examination fee of Rs. 320 per subject. This amounts to Rs. 960 for three subjects per student.