New Delhi: Following the introduction of a two-board exam system for Class X from the 2025-26 academic year, there has been some confusion among students and parents.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has now issued a clarification regarding the Class X board exams, the first of which is set to begin on Tuesday.
Responding to requests from students seeking permission to appear directly in the second board exam due to unavoidable reasons, the CBSE made it clear that the first exam is mandatory and all students must appear in it.
Outlining rules regarding eligibility, the CBSE said the second board exam is meant to be an opportunity for improvement.
Those who pass the first exam will be eligible to improve their scores in up to three subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages.
Students who don’t appear in three or more subjects in the first exam will not be allowed to sit for the second board examination. These students will be placed in the ‘Essential Repeat’ category and can only take the main examination next year in February.
Students whose first board exam results are ‘Compartment’ will be allowed to appear in the second exam under the ‘Compartment’ category.
For the second exam, students can appear under following categories — improvement in up to three main subjects; first or third chance Compartment; Compartment plus improvement; improvement for students who passed by subject replacement.
