CBSE's 2-exam plan ‘rooted in compassion': Principals
Mumbai: From 2026, CBSE class 10 students will sit not for one board exam, but two sets of board exams, if they choose to. The first, in February, will cover all subjects and will be compulsory.
The second, in May, will offer students the option to reappear for up to three papers to improve their scores.
For many, it's a quiet revolution. A policy rooted in empathy, said school heads, and one that allows students to breathe—perhaps for the first time in board season.
"This is a policy that gives students dignity and space," says Avnita Bir, director-principal of RN Podar School. "It reduces the stress of a make-or-break exam and offers flexibility of a second chance.
But let's not ignore logistical hurdles—it will be challenging to conduct and evaluate two exams back-to-back..."
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Overall, the move has found support among educators. Educationist Francis Joseph calls it a "well-being" move. "This kind of flexibility was needed yesterday. We must allow our children to experience assessment with less fear and more fairness. I hope state and national boards take note. But I urge parents, especially, to avoid turning both attempts into battlegrounds.
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Let this be a cushion, not a crucible."
Anjali Bowen, principal of Ryan International School, Kandivli, said: "This change acknowledges what we've always known — that stress erodes learning. By allowing students to retake exams, CBSE is not diluting the rigour—it's deepening the compassion. It gives students more than one moment to shine." As educators, she added, "we were aware of this potential shift, and now that it's officially being implemented, our school and teachers are actively working on integrating this new structure into our academic planning.
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But on ground, teachers already anticipate the ripple effects. A Powai-based teacher said, "We are yet to understand how students will navigate the academic calendar between the two phases. We're waiting for the standard operating procedures to see how feasible it really is."
Others said the model isn't entirely new. "It's like old wine in a new bottle," said a principal. "Earlier, students who failed could reappear a few months later. Now, the language has changed—we've taken away the word 'compartment', which carried shame, and replaced it with choice. That matters."
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