CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 Scheduled From May 15 to June 1

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified key rules, eligibility conditions, and the schedule for its newly introduced Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026, which will be held from May 15 to June 1. The initiative has been rolled out in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to give students an additional opportunity to improve their performance and overall scores in key subjects.

The board has also released a structured schedule for submission of the List of Candidates (LOC) and payment of examination fees, which will be carried out in multiple phases through schools. Phase 1, covering fee payment, will run from April 16 to April 20, 2026. Phase 2, which includes both LOC submission and fee payment, will also take place between April 16 and April 20. A final window with late fees has been scheduled from April 21 to April 22, 2026.

As per CBSE guidelines, schools will be responsible for submitting the LOC on behalf of students who choose to appear in the second examination. This process is designed to finalise the number of candidates and confirm subject-wise participation. The board has clearly stated that no new names will be added once the process is completed, ensuring that the list remains final and unchanged after submission deadlines.

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Eligibility rules for the second board exam have also been strictly defined. Students who appeared in the first board examination are eligible to participate, with those who have already passed allowed to improve their performance in up to three subjects, including core areas such as Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages. However, students who did not appear in three or more subjects in the first examination will not be eligible and must wait for the next main board cycle.

Students placed in the compartment category will also be permitted to appear in the second examination under the same classification. CBSE has further clarified that subject changes will not be allowed, except in specific cases related to Mathematics as per existing policy. Additionally, no corrections in student data from the first examination will be permitted, and only those already registered under the CWSN (Children With Special Needs) category will continue to receive applicable facilities.

The second board examination framework also maintains continuity in internal assessment components, ensuring that students’ previous evaluations remain valid. With this new system, CBSE aims to balance academic flexibility with procedural discipline, offering students a structured opportunity to improve performance while maintaining uniform examination standards across schools.

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