CBSE Class 10 boards in 2027: how the two-exam system works

Two chances in one year

In June 2025 the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced that Class 10 board exams would be held in two phases from 2026. The first exam, in February, is compulsory for all students. The second, in May, is for students who want to improve their performance. Results of the two phases are announced in April and June.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the change a much-needed step and a key recommendation of the National Education Policy, 2020. The two-exam system is for Class 10; CBSE's announcements describe it for Class 10 only.

Who can take the second exam

Appearing in the first exam is mandatory for every student. The second exam is meant only for certain categories of students.

Students who passed the first exam and want better marks can appear again in the Improvement category, for up to three main subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages. Students who did not pass a subject can take the second exam in the Compartment category. Students who want to replace a subject to improve their overall result may also appear.

The Essential Repeat rule

A student who misses three or more subjects in the first exam cannot take the second exam. Such students are placed in the Essential Repeat category and can appear in those subjects only in the next year's main exam in February. In practice, the February exam still decides most results, and missing it carries a cost.

How the first year went

In 2026, the main exam ran from 17 February to 11 March and the second exam from 15 to 21 May. After combining the results of both exams, CBSE reported an overall Class 10 pass percentage of 96.78%.

What we know about 2027

As of 9 October 2026, CBSE had not released the 2027 date sheet, Careers360 reported. Last year, CBSE announced tentative date sheets in September 2025, with exams from 17 February 2026, and said final date sheets would follow once schools submitted their final lists of candidates.

Schools began submitting lists of candidates for the 2026-27 exams on 24 September 2026, according to Careers360, with no late fee until 21 October and a late fee of ₹2,000 per candidate from 22 to 30 October. CBSE is also accepting applications from private candidates for the 2027 exams, with 23 October reported as the last date without a late fee.

What students should do

Prepare for February as the main exam: it is compulsory, and missing three or more subjects rules out the May exam. Treat May as a chance to improve up to three main subjects, not as a replacement for February.

Check dates and deadlines in CBSE's own circulars on cbse.gov.in, and ask your school to confirm that your details are correct in its list of candidates.