16 February,2026 07:07 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
The clarification came after the board received requests from some schools and parents. Representational Pic/File/iStock
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that it will be compulsory for Class 10 students to appear in the first board examination from 2026 onwards, reported the PTI.
The board is introducing two board examinations for Class 10 students starting in 2026. However, officials have made it clear that students cannot skip the first exam and appear directly for the second one.
The clarification came after the board received requests from some schools and parents.
They had asked whether students who are unable to sit for the first exam due to certain reasons could instead appear only in the second edition.
CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said that appearing in the first board examination is mandatory for all students.
"It is mandatory for all students to appear in the first board examination. All passed and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages," he said, according to the PTI.
This means that students who pass the first exam will get an opportunity to improve their marks in up to three subjects during the second board examination.
The board has also clarified what will happen if a student fails to appear in multiple subjects in the first examination.
"If a student has not appeared in three or more subjects in the first examination, then he or she will not be allowed to appear in the second examination. Such students will be placed in the âEssential Repeat' category and can take the examination only next year in the main examinations in February," Bhardwaj added.
Students placed in the âEssential Repeat' category will have to wait until the next academic year to sit for the board examinations again.
Meanwhile, with Std XII board exams underway and Std X exams approaching, Thane Traffic Police have activated a special helpline to help students stuck in traffic reach centres on time.
Since February 10, 54 traffic riders across 18 zones have been deployed to respond to distress calls during peak morning congestion.
"Students are expected to reach their centres at least 30 minutes early, but exam timings clash with office rush hour," said Police Inspector Yuvraj Sarnobat. This initiative was also carried out last year, and saw great response from parents and students.
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(with PTI inputs)
