In a significant update for students and educators, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has strongly backed the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to introduce biannual CBSE Class 10 board examinations starting from the year 2026. The minister clarified that the move is designed not to dilute the evaluation process but to ease the pressure on students.
Speaking at the ABP News Education Conclave on Monday, Pradhan highlighted that the existing education framework is robust and well-equipped to implement this change across the country.
“India has over 60 school boards, and there has never been any concern about their competency. The examination structure is not putting pressure on the education system. The decision to conduct board exams twice a year is not to dilute the process, but to reduce stress among students,” Pradhan said.
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The education minister drew parallels with higher education entrance exams to justify the new approach. He pointed out how students appearing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), conducted by the National Testing Agency, already benefit from the flexibility of sitting for the test twice a year and selecting their best score.
“Building on this idea, we are introducing a similar approach for Class 10 board exams. ...students will have the option to appear for the board exam twice a year and retain their best score. This move is recommended by experts...it is aimed at providing flexibility and reducing exam-related anxiety. Our school education system is competent enough to handle this reform across the country.”
The idea of holding board exams in two phases emerged from a CBSE draft policy released in February 2024. The draft, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, suggests that starting from 2026, Class 10 board exams will be held twice a year to offer students a choice to improve their performance.
As per the proposal, CBSE will organize the Class 10 exams in two sessions, covering a massive pool of approximately 26.6 lakh students across 84 subjects. The first phase of exams will run for 18 days from February 17 to March 6, while the second phase will span 16 days from May 5 to May 20. The draft was made public on February 25, 2024, with a feedback window that closed on March 9.
The CBSE’s plan to offer students a second chance within the same academic year aligns with broader educational reforms aimed at prioritizing student well-being and academic flexibility, a key pillar of the NEP 2020.
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