New Delhi, February 16 The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that it is mandatory for Class 10 students to appear in the first board exam, and those who do not attempt at least three subjects in the first edition will be placed in the "essential repeat" category, officials said.
CBSE will be starting with two board exams for Class 10 from 2026.
The clarification comes after the board received several requests stating that, due to certain reasons, Class 10 students would not be able to appear in the first board exam, and therefore, they should be allowed to appear in the second board exam.
"It is mandatory for all students to appear in the first board examination. All students who pass and are eligible will be allowed to improve their performance in any of the three subjects – Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science and languages," said CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj.
"If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the first examination, then they will not be allowed to appear in the second examination. Such students will be placed in the "Essential Repeat" category and can take the examination only next year during the main examinations in February of the following year," he added.
