The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an important circular regarding the second board examination for Class 10 students in 2026, which will be conducted in May 2026. The Board has directed schools to submit a tentative List of Candidates (LOC) for the second exam between March 18 and March 31, 2026. This list will help CBSE estimate the number of students planning to appear for the improvement exam and the subjects they intend to choose.
The second examination will be conducted under the same syllabus as the first board exam, which is scheduled between February 18 and March 11, 2026. Only students who appeared in the first examination will be eligible for the second attempt.
Who Can Appear in CBSE Second Board Exam 2026
According to CBSE, the following students can appear in the second exam:
- Students who appeared in the first board exam (Feb–Mar 2026)
- Students who want to improve marks in up to three subjects
- Subjects allowed for improvement:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Social Science
- Languages
- Students in the compartment category can also appear
Students who did not appear in three or more subjects in the first exam will not be eligible for the second exam.
Subjects Allowed for Improvement
Students can improve their performance in any three subjects from the following group:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Social Science
- Languages
CBSE has clarified that subject change will not be allowed between the two exams, except as permitted under the policy for Mathematics.
LOC Submission Schedule
Schools must submit the List of Candidates (LOC) for the second exam within the following timeline:
- LOC submission start: March 18, 2026
- Last date for LOC: March 31, 2026
No new candidates will be added after the LOC is submitted.
Registration After Result Declaration
After CBSE declares the Class 10 results, students will get:
- 5 days to confirm registration and pay exam fees
- Additional 2 days with late fee ₹2,000 if deadline is missed
CBSE Second Exam Fee Structure
| Region | Fee per Subject |
| India | ₹320 |
| Nepal | ₹1,100 |
| Other Countries | ₹2,200 |
The fee will be paid only after the result is declared, not during LOC submission.
Important Rules for CBSE Second Exam 2026
- Only students from the first board exam are eligible
- Internal assessment marks cannot be improved
- Examination centres will be limited and cannot be changed
- Schools must guide students to use this facility only when necessary
- Compartment students must submit LOC again
- Same syllabus as first exam will be used
Quick Reference Summary
| Event | Details |
| Exam Type | CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam |
| Exam Month | May 2026 |
| First Exam Dates | Feb 18 – Mar 11, 2026 |
| LOC Submission | Mar 18 – Mar 31, 2026 |
| Max Subjects Allowed | 3 |
| Fee (India) | ₹320 per subject |
| Late Fee | ₹2,000 |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
Why CBSE Introduced Second Board Exam
The second exam system allows students to:
- Improve marks without waiting one year
- Reduce exam stress
- Get another chance in the same academic session
- Avoid repeating the entire class
This aligns with CBSE’s new flexible assessment policy under the National Education Policy (NEP).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will the CBSE second board exam be held in 2026? |
| The second exam will be held in May 2026. |
| Who can appear for the second exam? |
| Only students who appeared in the first board exam. |
| How many subjects can be improved? |
| Up to three subjects. |
| What is the last date for LOC submission? |
| March 31, 2026. |
| Can internal assessment marks be improved? |
| No, internal assessment marks cannot be changed. |
| What is the exam fee in India? |
| ₹320 per subject. |
| Is late registration allowed? |
| Yes, with a ₹2,000 late fee. |
| Can new students apply for the second exam? |
| No, only students in the first exam can apply. |
The CBSE Class 10 second board examination 2026 gives students a valuable opportunity to improve their scores without losing a year. Schools must ensure timely submission of the LOC by March 31, and students should carefully decide whether to appear for the second exam. For official updates, always check cbse.gov.in and bookmark this page for the latest CBSE notifications, for more details CLICK HERE
