The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an official clarification regarding the eligibility rules for the new Class 10 Board Examination format starting in 2026. The clarification comes after several queries from students and parents about whether they can appear directly for the second board examination if they are unable to take the first exam due to personal, medical, or other reasons.
CBSE has declared that appearing for the first Class 10 Board Examination is mandatory for all students. It further clarified that students who fail to appear in three or more subjects in the first examination will not be eligible to sit for the second examination.
Key Points of CBSE’s Clarification:
First Exam Is Compulsory: All students must appear for the first board examination.
Chance to Improve Marks: Students who pass can improve their scores in up to three subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages.
Essential Repeat Category: Students who miss three or more subjects in the first exam cannot appear for the second exam. They will be placed in the Essential Repeat category and can take the main exam again next year in February.
Compartment Students: Those who receive a “Compartment" result in the first exam can appear for the second exam under the Compartment category.
No Extra Subjects Later: After passing Class 10, students cannot take additional subjects separately.
Who Can Appear In The Second Examination
CBSE has clarified that the second board examination is meant only for specific groups of students:
Improvement Category: Students who pass the first exam can reappear in up to three main subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages) to improve their marks.
Compartment Category: Students who receive a “Compartment" result in the first exam can take the second exam under the Compartment category.
Combined Improvement and Compartment: In some cases, eligible students may qualify under both Improvement and Compartment rules.
Replacements Subject: Additionally, students who have already passed but wish to replace or improve a subject can also appear for the second examination.
The CBSE has noted that students who fail to appear in three or more subjects in the main examination will not be permitted to take the second board examination. The board has also clarified that it will not consider any requests for exemption from this rule.
Students and parents are advised to carefully check the eligibility rules before planning to appear for the second exam. CBSE has emphasised that not appearing in multiple subjects in the first exam could delay a student’s academic progress by an entire year.
