The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared the Class 10 Result 2026 on April 15. With results now out, students are now turning their attention to the second board examination scheduled for May 2026. Here is everything you need to know about the CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026.
What Is the CBSE Two Board Exam System?
CBSE introduced the Two Board Examination policy from the 2026 exam session, as officially notified on June 25, 2025. This system is based on the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Under this policy, students get two opportunities to appear in the board examination in the same academic year.
The key benefit of this system is that the final CBSE marksheet will reflect the best score obtained across both exam attempts. This is designed to reduce academic pressure and give students a genuine opportunity to improve their performance without waiting an entire year.
When Will the Second Board Exam Be Held?
The CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam is expected to be conducted in May 2026. The results of both phases will be integrated, and the best score will be reflected on the final marksheet.
Who Is Eligible for the Second Board Exam?
The board prescribes certain conditions for students to appear in the second board exam. It is mandatory for all students to have appeared in the first board examination. The following categories of students are eligible:
- Students who have passed Class 10 and wish to improve their performance in up to three subjects
- Students placed in the Compartment category in the 2026 examination
- Students placed in the Compartment category in the 2025 examination
- Students appearing under Compartment + Improvement
- Students on their first or third chance compartment
- Sports students given special permission by the board
- Students seeking improvement who have passed by replacement of a subject
A student must have appeared in at least three examinations in their first main exam to be eligible.
Who Is NOT Eligible?
Not every student can appear in the second board exam. The following students are excluded:
- Students who have not appeared in three or more subjects in the 2026 main examination
- Students who have failed in three or more subjects in the first examination
- Students placed in the ER (Essential Repeat) category
Students who are ineligible for the second board exam will only be allowed to appear in the main examination next year.
Important Rules to Remember
Before registering for the second board exam, students must keep the following rules in mind:
- Change of subject is not allowed for the second exam
- No correction in student data from the first exam to the second exam will be permitted by the board
- These facilities will be made available only after the second board examinations
- The second exam is applicable for a maximum of three subjects only, including Science, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Languages
Subjects Allowed for Improvement
Students who have passed Class 10 can opt to improve their performance in up to three subjects from the following:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Social Science
- Languages
Examination Fee for Second Board Exam
Students appearing for the CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 are required to pay the following fee:
- Rs. 320 per subject
- Rs. 960 for three subjects per candidate
LOC Submission and Registration Dates
CBSE opened the List of Candidates (LOC) submission window on April 16, 2026. Here are the important dates:
| Phase | Dates |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 – LOC Submission with Fee | April 16 to April 20, 2026 |
| Phase 2 – Completion of Submissions | Concurrent with Phase 1 |
| Final Window with Late Fee | April 21 to April 22, 2026 |
After April 22, no further corrections, additions, or extensions will be permitted. Schools are required to complete all registrations by this deadline.
What About Re-Evaluation?
Students who are not satisfied with their declared scores also have the option to apply for re-evaluation separately. Under CBSE’s redressal facility, students can apply for:
- A scanned copy of their answer book
- Verification of marks
- Re-evaluation
- Both verification and re-evaluation
These facilities are available online only and will open after the second board examinations are conducted.
How to Register for the Second Board Exam?
Registration for the second board exam is done through the school. Students need to inform their school, which will then submit the List of Candidates (LOC) on the student’s behalf through the CBSE portal. Students cannot register directly — the process is school-mediated.
The CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 is a great opportunity for students who want to improve their scores or clear compartment subjects without losing an academic year. With the final marksheet reflecting the best score from both attempts, students can appear with confidence. Make sure your school submits the LOC before April 22, 2026 to avoid missing the registration window.
