New Delhi, June 25 -- The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year starting from 2026, making the first phase mandatory and the second optional, the board announced on Wednesday.

In an official press statement, CBSE said, "As per the recommendations of the NEP-2020 and stakeholders' consultations, CBSE has decided to implement the policy of two Board Examinations in Class X from the 2026 examinations."

All students will be required to appear in the first exam, which will be held in mid-February and declared in April. Those who qualify will be allowed to improve performance in up to three subjects -- Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages -- in the second exam, to be held in M...