CBSE: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that Class 10 students must appear for the first board exam. The board stated that students who fail to appear in at least three subjects in the first exam will be placed in the "compulsory repetition" category.

The CBSE is implementing a system of two board exams for Class 10 from 2026. This clarification comes after some requests that some students may face difficulties in appearing for the first edition of the exam. The board clarified that even such students are required to appear for the first exam so that eligibility and results for the second exam can be properly determined.

Why did the board take this decision?
The CBSE received requests from some students and parents that some students, due to some reasons, would be unable to appear for the first Class 10 board exam and should be allowed to appear for the second.

Understand the full rule.
Appearance in the first exam: All students must appear for the first board exam.
Opportunity to improve three subjects: Students who passed the first exam can appear for three core subjects (e.g., science, mathematics, social science, and languages) to improve their performance.

Rules for absent students: Students who did not appear for three or more subjects in the first exam will not be allowed to appear for the second exam. Such students will be placed in the "compulsory revision" category and will only be able to appear for the main exam next February.

For compartment students: Students who have a compartment result in the first exam will be allowed to appear for the second exam under the same category.

Restrictions on additional subjects: Students cannot appear for any additional subject after passing Class 10.

CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said, "All students must appear for the first board exam. All qualified and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects from science, mathematics, social science, and languages."

He further stated, "If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the first examination, they will not be allowed to appear for the second examination. Such students will be placed in the 'compulsory revision' category and will be eligible to appear only in the main examinations to be held in February next year."

Who can appear for the second examination?
Improvement up to three main subjects: Students can appear in three main subjects to improve their performance.
Opportunity for first or third compartment examination: Students with compartment results are allowed to appear for the first or third compartment examination.
Compartment + Improvement: Students with compartment subjects and requiring improvement can appear for the examination under both categories.
Improvement by changing subjects: Students who have passed in a subject but wish to improve in another subject are allowed to improve by changing subjects.

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