The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a major change in the way board exams will be conducted. Starting from the academic year 2026-27, Class 10 students will have the option to take their board exams twice a year. In addition to this, CBSE is also introducing a Global Curriculum for its affiliated foreign schools.
Why the Change?
The decision to hold board exams twice a year is aimed at reducing the stress students face due to high-stakes, one-time exams. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that creating a stress-free learning environment is a priority for the government.
According to an official from the Ministry of Education, this new system will allow students to improve their scores without added pressure. Instead of relying on a single exam to determine their results, students will have the opportunity to take the test twice and retain their best score.
Details of the New Exam System
- Optional Second Attempt: Students will not be forced to take both exams. If they are satisfied with their performance in the first attempt, they don’t need to take the second one.
- Best Score Counts: If a student takes both exams, only the highest score will be considered for their final result.
- Aligning with NEP 2020: The reform follows recommendations from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to make education more flexible and student-friendly.
CBSE’s New Global Curriculum
Apart from exam reforms, CBSE is also launching a Global Curriculum for its 260 affiliated foreign schools. This decision was finalized in a high-level meeting chaired by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, where officials from CBSE, NCERT, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) participated.
The curriculum will include core Indian subjects while incorporating global educational standards. The draft is expected to be released to the public next week.
Future Plans: Semester System in Higher Classes
The Education Ministry is also considering implementing a semester system for Class 11 and 12, similar to the college format. This change is still in discussion and is expected to be aligned with the NEP’s vision of making education more holistic and flexible.
What This Means for Students
These changes reflect a shift towards less pressure, more opportunities, and a concept-based learning approach. By introducing multiple exam opportunities, students can focus on truly understanding subjects rather than memorizing them just for the sake of passing one big test.
With a global curriculum on the way and continuous reforms, CBSE is moving towards a more student-friendly education system that values learning over rote memorization.