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CBSE Board Exam 2026: 6 Key Changes Students Must Know Before Exams

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Indiaemploymentnews
Fri Jan 02 21:00:34 IST 2026
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced six major changes for the 2025-26 academic session that will directly impact Class 10 and 12 students. With over 45 lakh students appearing this year, understanding these changes is crucial to avoid mistakes that could affect final results. The exams for both classes will start from 17th February 2026

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Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Two Board Exams for Class 10

  • For the first time, Class 10 students will have two board exam sessions.

  • This system allows:

    • Students who missed the first exam or failed to appear for certain subjects to sit for a second board exam under “Essential Repeat” or Compartment category.

    • Students who want to improve their scores can also appear in the second exam.

  • This change gives students an extra opportunity to pass or enhance their results

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2. Sectional Changes in Class 10 Science and Social Science

  • Science Paper: Divided into three sections:

    • Section A: Biology

    • Section B: Chemistry

    • Section C: Physics

  • Social Science Paper: Divided into four sections:

    • Section A: History

    • Section B: Geography

    • Section C: Political Science

    • Section D: Economics

This restructuring makes it easier for students to focus on individual sections and manage time effectively.

3. Revised Paper Structure

  • From 2026 onwards:

    • 50% of the questions will be competency-based, including MCQs, case-based, source-based, data interpretation, or situational questions

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  • 20% of questions will be select-response (MCQs).

  • The remaining 30% will be constructed-response questions, including short and long answers.

  • These changes aim to align exams with skill-based learning rather than rote memorization.

    • 4. Mandatory Internal Assessments

    • Participation in internal assessments (practical/project/IA) is mandatory.

    • Students who do not participate will be considered ineligible, and their results will not be declared.

    • Practical exams/projects/IA will be conducted from 1st January to 14th February 2026

    , with maximum marks distributed across theory, practical, project, and IA components.

    5. Minimum Attendance Requirement

    • Students must maintain at least 75% attendance in Class 9 and 10 to be eligible for board exams.

    • This ensures that students are actively participating in school activities and following the curriculum consistently.

    6. Additional Measures by CBSE

    • CBSE has introduced guidelines for provisional admission to Class 11, ensuring a smooth transition for students passing Class 10.

    • The board is also focusing on enhancing transparency in evaluation and linking question patterns to competency-based education.

    Conclusion:
    These changes are designed to reduce stress, provide extra opportunities, and align assessments with practical understanding and competency. Students should carefully understand these changes

    before exams to avoid surprises and perform confidently.

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