CBSE Board Exams: Major changes in class 10 and 12 exams

CBSE Board Exams: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled the draft plan for the 2026 Class 10 and 12 board exams, introducing major reforms aimed at providing greater flexibility, giving more student options and reducing academic stress. Major changes in class 10 and 12 exams.

These changes align with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which focuses on competency-based learning and student well-being.

Revised Exam Schedule and Subject Grouping:

The 2026 board exams will start on the first Tuesday after February 15, 2026. Around 26.60 lakh students are expected to appear for the class 10th examination and approximately 20 lakh students are expected to appear for the class 12th examination.

The exam schedule will have fixed dates for important subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi and English. Other subjects are classified into two categories regional and foreign languages ​​and rest of the subjects and the exam dates are planned accordingly.

Multiple Exam Opportunities:

Students of class 10 and 12 are given two examination opportunities in an academic year. The first is the main test, a standardized test for all students, while the second is the improvement test, which allows students to retake tests if they want to improve their scores.

As per the draft schedule, the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams will begin on February 17, 2026, while the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams will be spread over multiple phases. For students appearing in the remedial exam, the second phase will begin in May 2026, with results expected by June 30, 2026.

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Inclusion of Punjabi as a Regional Language:

Punjabi will be included as a regional language option in the revised examination scheme, effective from next year. This extension allows students to choose a regional or foreign language for their exams, in line with the scheme’s aim of providing more language options.

Modular Board Exams:

Another notable proposal is the introduction of modular exams, which test small parts of the curriculum and can be taken immediately upon completion of the course. This approach aims to spread academic stress throughout the year, allowing students to focus on specific areas of their studies.

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Two-Level Examination for Core Subjects:

For subjects such as mathematics, students may have the option of taking the test at a standard or advanced level based on their academic abilities. This course is designed to accommodate a wide range of student abilities.

Revised Question Paper Format:

Some exams may consist of two sections: one with objective multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and the other with descriptive-type questions. This format aims to test students’ theoretical understanding and practical knowledge.

Additional Guidelines and Reforms:

The practical/internal evaluations will be conducted only once and the scores will carry forward to the improvement tests. Merit certificates are awarded to students who qualify in all subjects in the second examination. Performance records are available on DigiLocker for easy access by students and institutions.

No self-centers: Exam centers will be assigned and students will not appear at their schools.

Standard Exam Fees: Fees for both exam attempts are collected in advance and are non-refundable.