CBSE Clarifies Eligibility Rules for New Class 10 Board Exam Scheme, First Exam Mandatory

February 07, 2026 : The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued a detailed clarification on the eligibility criteria for its revised Class 10 Board Examination system, which comes into effect this year. The clarification follows a wave of questions from students and parents about whether they can appear in the second board examination if they miss the first one due to personal, medical, or other unavoidable reasons.

CBSE has made it clear that appearing in the first Class 10 Board Examination is compulsory for all students. Those who miss three or more subjects in the first examination will not be allowed to sit for the second examination. Such students will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category. They will have to reappear in the missed subjects only in the next year’s main board examination session scheduled in February.

The Board has also explained that the second examination is not open to all students by default. It is meant for specific categories.

Students who have successfully passed the first examination but want to improve their scores can apply under the Improvement Category. They are permitted to reappear in up to three core subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages, to enhance their overall performance.

Students who receive a compartment result in the first examination can take the second examination under the Compartment Category. This allows them to clear the subject in which they did not secure passing marks.

Additionally, students who have passed but wish to replace a subject to strengthen their overall result are also eligible to appear in the second examination under the prescribed rules.

With this clarification, CBSE aims to remove confusion and ensure that students clearly understand the eligibility conditions under the new Class 10 Board Examination framework.