Only 40% likely to sit for Class 10 second board, says CBSE chief

CBSE is preparing to roll out a new exam structure for Class 10 students from 2026. Under this system, students can appear for board exams twice in select subjects. CBSE Chairman Rahul Singh has said that the Board expects only around 40% of students to take the second exam in any subject.

Singh shared these details during a webinar on the two-exam scheme.

He said the estimate is based on the Board’s internal analysis. “Around 40% children will appear in each of the main subjects, in the second board exam, at



max,” he said.

The Chairman explained that the second exam will not place a heavy burden on teachers. In the Class 10 first exam, more than 1.5 crore answer sheets are evaluated.

Singh said the second exam is expected to generate only 20–30 lakh answer sheets. This, he said, will help the Board finish checking faster and release results on time.

The target for the full cycle is June 30.

Earlier this year, CBSE announced that all students must appear for the first exam.