The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct its inaugural second Class 10 board examination starting May 15, 2026. This new system, driven by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, allows students a second chance to improve their scores. The first board exams concluded on March 10, with results announced April 15.
Over 6.6 Lakh Students Register for Second Exam
A total of 668,854 students are registered for this first second attempt. This initiative aims to reduce exam pressure by offering a supplementary testing window. Students can choose to keep the marks from either the first or second examination.
Gender Breakdown of Candidates
Official data from CBSE provides a demographic breakdown of the registered candidates for the May 2026 examination.
| Category | Number of Candidates |
| Male Candidates | 402,643 |
| Female Candidates | 266,209 |
| 'Other' Category | 2 |
| Total Candidates | 668,854 |
The dual-exam structure provides students an opportunity to enhance their academic records before progressing to senior secondary education. The exams begin on May 15, 2026, offering a post-result improvement window for over six lakh students.
