CBSE's Landmark Decision: Twice-Yearly Exams to Reduce Stress and Enhance Learning

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will begin holding class 10 exams twice a year starting in 2026, a move hailed by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as a 'much-needed step' to alleviate student stress and encourage flexibility.

This decision allows students to partake in board exams during February obligatorily, with a second, optional attempt in May for those seeking to better their scores. The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes student-centric learning.

Education Ministry officials view this as a transformative shift towards competency-based assessments that favor understanding over memorization, fulfilling NEP 2020's vision for a more joyful and inclusive education system.

(With inputs from agencies.)