In a major educational reform, the Government of India and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have announced that Class 10 and Class 12 board exams will be conducted twice a year starting from the 2026. This decision follows the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to reduce student stress and provide multiple opportunities for better performance.
Who Decided This Change?
The decision to introduce twice-a-year board exams was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, The Education Ministry, led by Dharmendra Pradhan in consultation with CBSE. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including:
- CBSE Chairperson
- NCERT Chairman
- Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) Commissioner
- Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) Commissioner
- Representatives from State Education Boards
- Educational policy experts
The Ministry has directed CBSE to create a structured implementation plan to help students, teachers, and schools adapt smoothly. This reform follows global best practices in education assessment, providing students with more flexibility and opportunities to improve their scores.
How Will the New CBSE Exam System Work?
- CBSE will hold board exams twice in an academic year.
- Students will have the choice to appear for both exams or just one; it is not mandatory to take both.
- If a student takes the board exams twice, only the best score will be considered for the final result.
- The new system aims to reduce the high-pressure environment of board exams and allow students to enhance their performance over time.
Why Is CBSE Making This Change?
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 highlighted the need for a more flexible and student-centric assessment system. The Ministry of Education and CBSE believe that a twice-a-year board exam system will:
- Reduce stress by eliminating the “one-chance-only” pressure.
- Encourage better learning by allowing students to improve their performance without waiting an entire year.
- Enhance academic flexibility, bringing India’s education system in line with global practices.
What It Means for Students and Schools
- More opportunities to improve: Students can attempt the board exams twice and keep their best score.
- No compulsion: Those who are satisfied with their first attempt do not need to appear for the second.
- Adaptation required: Schools and teachers will need to adjust academic calendars and teaching methodologies to accommodate the new system.
Implementation Plan and Next Steps
The Ministry of Education has asked CBSE to draft a detailed implementation roadmap, including:
- Scheduling of the two exam sessions.
- Adjustments to curriculum planning and teaching methodologies.
- Training for teachers and examiners.
- Coordination with schools to ensure smooth execution of the new system.
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Conclusion
This landmark reform aims to make board exams more student-friendly and flexible, promoting a healthier academic environment. CBSE is expected to release further guidelines and implementation details in the coming months. Students, parents, and schools should stay updated on CBSE’s official announcements to understand the full scope of this change.
