Students who sat for the CBSE Class 10 board exams between February 18 and March 11 will soon get a second chance to improve their marks. The Central Board of Secondary Education has announced that school registration for the May 2026 second examination will open on March 18.
The second exam runs in the same academic year. It lets eligible students try to score better marks shortly after the main exam concludes.
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Who can apply?
Only students who appeared in the first exam are eligible. Those who missed three or more subjects cannot apply. Students who passed may improve their scores in up to three subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, or Languages.
What does the exam cover?
As per the report of Hindustan Times, CBSE exam controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said in the circular, "All passed and eligible students are allowed to improve their performance in any of the three subjects out of science, mathematics, social science and languages."
The syllabus will be identical to the first examination. Subject changes will not be allowed, except for Mathematics under existing board policy. Internal assessment marks cannot be improved. As CBSE exam controller Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj further stated in the circular, "it is a yearlong exercise."
Registration process and fees
Schools must submit a List of Candidates (LOC) to CBSE to register students. The first registration phase runs from March 18 to 31. Later phases will open once first-exam results are declared. A final phase carries a late fee of ₹2,000 per candidate added to the total amount. For students in India, the fee is ₹320 per subject. Students in Nepal pay ₹1,100 per subject, while those in other countries are charged ₹2,200 per subject.
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Key rules for schools and students
No new candidates may be added after LOC submission. Exam centres will be limited in number and will not be changed once allotted. CBSE has asked school principals to ensure timely submission. Schools have also been advised to guide students about the rules and the "use of this facility only in dire need". Students in the compartment category may appear but must submit a fresh LOC separately.
