Class 10 students must sit for first of the two board exams, says CBSE

With the onset of secondary and senior secondary school examinations of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the board on Monday noted that it is mandatory for class 10 students to appear in the ensuing 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. The

clarification comes after CBSE is scheduled to start with two board exams for class 10 from 2026.The clarification by the board comes after it received a few requests stating that class 10 students who are not able to appear in the first board exam should be allowed to appear in the second board exam.

“It is mandatory for all the students to appear in the first board examination. All passed and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any of the three subjects out of science, mathematics, social science and languages,” said Sanyam Bhardwaj, CBSE Examination Controller.

“Additional Subject will not be permitted after passing class 10, students will not be allowed in stand-alone subjects. Because of any reason if a student is not able to appear in 3 or more subjects in main examination, he or she cannot be permitted to appear in second board exams as per policy. Any request received by CBSE about this not be responded to,” Bhardwaj said.

Board exams for class 10 and class 12 will begin on Tuesday, with over 46 lakh students set to appear from India and abroad.Class 10 students will appear for the Mathematics exam on Tuesday while Class 12 examination is scheduled for four subjects —Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Shorthand (Hindi) and Shorthand (English).

Simultaneously, the CBSE has urged students and all concerned stakeholders not to get misled by rumours of question paper leaks. Over 46 lakh students from India and abroad are set to appear in the exams conducted by the CBSE, according to officials.