CBSE Board Exams 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced multiple significant changes for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic sessions. These reforms affect exam schedules, assessment types, subject options, attendance rules, and more. For students, teachers, and parents alike, understanding these modifications is crucial to preparing effectively.
Here’s a detailed look at what’s new, what remains, and what you should plan for.
Table of Contents
Major Reforms for CBSE Board Exams 2026
1. Two-Term Examination System for Class 10
- Starting February 2026, CBSE will divide the Class 10 board exam into two main cycles: one in mid-February and the second in May.
- The move intends to reduce pressure and spread out assessments.
2. Open-Book Assessments (OBA) for Class 9
- For the 2026-27 session, Class 9 students will have open-book assessments. This was approved by CBSE’s Governing Body in June.
- These follow a pilot study conducted in late 2023, which experimented with OBAs for Classes 9-12.
3. STEM Subject Differentiation in Higher Secondary (Class 11)
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects will now be offered at two levels: basic and advanced. This will be introduced starting in Class 11 in the 2026-27 session.
- The idea is similar to what was already done for Social Science and Science at the secondary stage.
4. Removal of ‘Additional Subject’ Option for Private Candidates
- From 2026, private candidates will no longer have the option to take an extra subject.
- CBSE says this is because the board isn’t just about examinations—it involves the entire schooling process.
Other Key Rules & Policies
Attendance Requirements
- Students of Class 10 and Class 12 must maintain at least 75% attendance to be eligible to sit for board exams.
Special Provisions for Sports & Olympiad Participants
- For students representing India in national or international sports events or Olympiads, there are special exam provisions.
- In Class 10, these students can take special exams during the May cycle only, not after the February one.
- For Class 12, the policy remains largely unchanged: if there’s a clash between the exam and the event, CBSE will re-conduct the exam after the main cycle.
Mother Tongue / Regional Language Teaching
- For pre-primary to Class 2, teaching is to be in the child’s mother tongue or another familiar regional language, where possible.
Infrastructure Norms
- CBSE schools will need to install high-resolution CCTV cameras with audio-visual recording capabilities in key areas of the campus under the updated norms.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 Changes – Before vs After
| Feature | Before (2025 and earlier) | After / From 2026 / 2026-27 |
| Number of exam cycles for Class 10 board exams | Single annual examination | Two cycles: mid-February and May |
| Open-Book Assessments | Not standard; pilot only for some classes | For Class 9 students in the 2026-27 session |
| STEM Subject Levels (Class 11) | Uniform level | Two levels: Basic & Advanced |
| Additional Subject option (Private Candidates) | Allowed | Removed |
| Attendance requirement for Class 10 & 12 | Varies; not strictly enforced | Minimum 75% required |
| Exam adjustments for sports/Olympiad | Some allowances | Special exam during May for Class 10; re-conducting for Class 12 if a clash |
| Language of instruction (early years) | Less formalised | Mother tongue or familiar regional language from Pre-primary to Class 2 |
Implications & Challenges
Potential Benefits
- Reduced stress: Splitting exams helps spread out evaluation, reducing the end-of-year burden.
- Better learning: Open-book assessments promote understanding over rote memorization.
- Tailored learning: Differentiated levels in STEM may help students who want more depth or who need a more basic level.
Likely Challenges
- Logistics: Two exam cycles may demand more planning from schools.
- Assessment design: For OBAs and differentiated courses, creating fair, effective question papers is crucial.
- Awareness: Students, parents, and schools will need clear communication so no one is blindsided (for instance, removal of an additional subject).
- Resource constraints: Not all schools may have capacity for high-end CCTV or for training in new assessment styles.
What Students & Educators Should Do
- Stay updated: CBSE’s circulars and school notices will give precise dates and formats.
- Adjust study schedules: For Class 10 students, plan to have revision completed ahead of the February exams, not just for May.
- Practice OBAs: Try preparing answers with open books or note-aided study to get used to that mode.
- Choose subject levels wisely: If STEM levels are offered, evaluate whether “basic” or “advanced” works better considering your aptitude and future goals.
- Ensure attendance: Maintain a percentage preferably higher than 75% to avoid last-minute risks.
- Monitor schedule conflicts: Sports/Olympiad participants should inform schools early and know how the special exam provisions will apply.
The CBSE’s reforms for 2026 and beyond represent a shift in how Board exams function – more continuous, differentiated, and student-friendly in some respects. But they also demand better planning, transparency, and resource readiness. For students, the changes offer opportunity; for educators and institutions, a chance to improve how they support learning and assessment.
If you’re a student who is going to be affected (Class 9, 10 or 11), it’s time to start adapting now. And if you’re a teacher or parent, this is your cue to help guide that adaptation.
FAQs on CBSE Board Exam Changes 2026
Q. What is the biggest change in CBSE board exams from 2026?
A. The major change is that Class 10 board exams will now be held twice a year – one cycle in February and another in May. Students will appear for both cycles.
Q. Will Class 12 board exams also be conducted twice a year?
A. No. The two-cycle exam system is only for Class 10. For Class 12, exams will continue as a single cycle, but special provisions remain for students who miss exams due to sports or Olympiads.
Q. What are open-book assessments (OBA), and who will have them?
A. Open-book assessments allow students to refer to books or notes while answering questions. From the 2026-27 academic session, Class 9 students will face OBAs in select subjects.
Q. Why is CBSE introducing open-book assessments?
A. OBAs encourage conceptual understanding and application of knowledge, instead of rote learning. They also align with the NEP 2020’s focus on competency-based education.
Q. How will STEM subjects change from 2026-27?
A. In Class 11, STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) will be offered at two levels – basic and advanced, allowing students to choose based on their aptitude and career goals.
Q. Can private candidates still take an additional subject in 2026?
A. No. From 2026, private candidates cannot opt for an additional subject. CBSE has clarified that schooling is more than just taking exams, so the additional subject option is being discontinued.
Q. What is the minimum attendance required to sit for board exams?
A. Students of Class 10 and 12 must maintain at least 75% attendance in the academic session to be eligible for board examinations.
Q. What happens if a student misses an exam due to sports or Olympiad participation?
A. For Class 10, such students can appear for a special exam during the May cycle. For Class 12, CBSE may re-conduct the exam after the main cycle if there’s a clash.
Q. Will CBSE schools need to change their infrastructure under the new rules?
A. Yes. Schools must install high-resolution CCTV cameras with audio-visual recording in key areas to ensure transparency and security during exams.
Q. How will early-grade teaching be affected by these changes?
A. From pre-primary to Class 2, teaching is expected to be conducted in the child’s mother tongue or familiar regional language wherever possible, to ensure better comprehension and learning outcomes.
