A view of the Shiksha Sadan that houses the CBSE on Rouse Avenue in New Delhi. Archive | Photo credit: The Hindu
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that it is mandatory for Class 10 students to appear for the first board exam, and those who fail to attempt at least three subjects in the first edition will be placed in the ‘essential repetition’ category, officials said.
CBSE will start with two board exams for Class 10 from 2026.
The board’s clarification comes after it received some requests stating that for some reasons, students of Class 10 will not be able to appear in the first board exam, so they should be allowed to appear in the second board exam.
“It is mandatory for all students to appear for the first board examination. All the passed and eligible students will be able to improve their performance in any of the three subjects of Science, Mathematics, Social, Science and Languages,” CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bhardwaj said.
“If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the first exam, then he will not be allowed to appear in the second exam. Such students will be placed in the ‘Essential Repeat’ category? and will only be able to take the exam next year in the main exams in the month of February next year,” he added.
Published – February 16, 2026 02:47 pm IST
