CBSE Board Exam 2026: Students Allowed to Reappear in Up to 3 Subjects in Second Exam for Score Improvement

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a significant change for Class 10 students beginning with the 2025-26 academic session. Students will now have the option to reappear in up to three subjects during the second exam cycle to improve their scores. The update was shared by board officials on November 20 during an official webinar explaining the dual-exam system.

Two Exams a Year, Higher Score Counts

Under the new structure, CBSE will conduct board exams twice a year:

• First exam: February–March 2026

• Second exam: May 2026

Students can sit for the second exam if they want to improve their theory marks, and CBSE will consider the higher score out of the two attempts for the final result. This change is aimed at reducing pressure on students and giving them a fair chance to enhance their performance.

Who Can Reappear?

Candidates will be allowed to retake a maximum of three subjects in the second exam. However, this option is limited to subjects where the external assessment component is more than 50%.
This means the re-exam privilege will not be available for all subjects.

Rules for Students Who Fail

• Students failing in one or two subjects in the first exam can appear in the second exam as compartment candidates.

• Students failing in more than three subjects will be marked as “essential repeat” and won’t be allowed to attempt the second exam. They must reappear the following year.

Result Dates

• First exam results: April 2026

• Second exam results: June 2026

These timelines are designed to ensure that students do not face delays in admission processes.

Registration After First Exam

After the first exam results are declared, students wishing to improve their marks can register for the second exam. CBSE will later release the final list of candidates eligible to appear.

This dual-exam system marks a major shift in CBSE’s evaluation pattern, aiming to offer flexibility while maintaining academic standards.