Starting from the 2026 board exams, CBSE has made APAAR ID mandatory for all students in Classes 9 to 12. The board has also announced a revision in examination and registration fees for both domestic and international students. These changes are part of CBSE’s broader digital transformation, including the development of an AI-powered learning centre.

CBSE Board Exams 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that from the 2026 board exams, students in Classes 9 to 12 will need to have an APAAR ID—a lifelong, unique academic identifier. The step is part of a broader digital transformation to make student records easier, more efficient, and bring technology into education to improve learning experiences.

Digital Identity Now a Must for Students

The Ministry of Education mandated Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) will now be necessary for the registration of students, examination procedures, and formal academic documents. Schools are required to allot APAAR ID to all Classes 9 and 11 students prior to registration. APAAR IDs will be needed for submission of List of Candidates (LoC) for Classes 10 and 12 and will be included in students' mark sheets, certificates, and migration records.

Designed to support the Digital Public Infrastructure for Education (DPIE) initiative, APAAR aims to create a centralised, universally accessible academic record for every school-going child in India.

Fee Increases Across Domestic and International Centres

Concurrently with these digital shifts, CBSE is also revising its fees for the 2025–26 academic year:

India: Exam charges increased by ₹20 per subject (6.66%); practical exam charges increased by ₹10; Classes 9 and 11 registration charges increased by ₹20.

Nepal & Other Foreign Schools: Both exam and registration charges increased by 10%; practical exam charges increased by ₹25 per subject.

The board has linked the rise to rising exam costs and the fact that fees have not been revised since 2020. It also mentioned that the removal of compulsory migration certificates from 2024–25 has affected revenues.

AI-Powered Learning Hub in the Pipeline

In a future-oriented initiative, CBSE is also investing in a cutting-edge AI-driven digital experience centre to be constructed at its Integrated Office Complex in Sector 23, Dwarka, New Delhi. Approved during the CBSE governing body meeting on June 25, 2025, this centre would be an experiential learning destination, leveraging technology to enhance student engagement, concept clarity, and curiosity.