The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced an increase in fees for the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams. This change will affect all students taking their board exams from the 2025-26 school year , meaning those who will appear for the exams in February 2026 . This is the first time CBSE has raised exam fees since 2020 .
The board approved this fee hike in June . Students, parents, and schools should understand these changes to prepare for the upcoming examination cycle. The new fee structure will apply to both Indian students and those studying abroad in CBSE-affiliated schools.
New Exam Fees for Students in India
For students in India, the cost for the standard package of five subjects has gone up. Here is a clear breakdown of the new fees compared to the old ones:
| Exam Category | Old Fee (INR) | New Fee (INR) |
| Standard Five-Subject Package | 1,500 | 1,600 |
| Each Additional Subject | 300 | 320 |
| Each Practical Exam Subject | 150 | 160 |
| Each Theory Paper (Individual increase) | (Not specified, but rose Rs 20) | (Increased by Rs 20) |
This means if a student takes five subjects, they will now pay Rs 1,600 . If they choose an extra subject, they will pay Rs 320 for that subject. For each practical exam, the fee is now Rs 160 . The fee for each theory paper has also increased by Rs 20 . This adjustment ensures that the fees cover the updated costs of conducting the board examinations.
Reasons Behind the Fee Increase
CBSE explained that the fee increase is necessary to cover various rising costs. These costs include:
- Paperwork and Printing: The expenses related to printing question papers and other necessary documents have increased.
- Digital Answer Sheet Grading: The process of checking answer sheets digitally requires advanced systems and resources, which have become more expensive to maintain and upgrade.
- Shipping Materials: Sending exam materials like question papers and answer sheets to exam centers, especially those in far-off or remote areas, costs more now.
- Upgrading Online Systems: CBSE continuously works to improve its online platforms for exam registration, result processing, and other services. Keeping these systems modern and secure requires significant investment.
These rising operational costs have led CBSE to revise the examination fees after a gap of five years.
Fee Changes for Students Studying Abroad
Students attending CBSE-affiliated schools outside India will also see an increase in their examination fees. The hike for them is higher than for students in India due to additional logistical challenges and expenses involved in conducting exams internationally.
| Exam Category (Abroad) | Old Fee (INR) | New Fee (INR) |
| Standard Five-Subject Package | 10,000 | 11,000 |
| Each Additional Subject | 2,000 | 2,200 |
| Each Practical Exam Subject | 350 | 375 |
This means students abroad taking five subjects will now pay Rs 11,000 . For every extra subject, the fee will be Rs 2,200 . Each practical exam will cost Rs 375 for these students.
Overall Impact and Next Steps
Across all categories, the fee hike is generally between 7 and 10 percent . This adjustment is part of CBSE's effort to manage the increasing expenses involved in conducting large-scale board examinations fairly and efficiently.
At present, the official CBSE notice has not provided specific details about the exact payment methods or the deadlines for submitting the new fees. It is crucial for students, parents, and school authorities to stay informed about these important details.
For the latest updates on how to pay the fees and when to pay them, everyone should regularly check the official CBSE website: cbse.gov.in . Schools will also share specific instructions with their students once these details are released by the board.
Understanding these changes now will help students and their families plan their finances for the upcoming 2026 board exams. This update aims to ensure that the quality and smooth conduct of the CBSE board examinations continue without interruption.
