CBSE's Draft Scheme for Two Examinations in Class X

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proposed a draft scheme for Class 10 students to take board examinations twice in an academic session starting in 2026. This initiative is aimed at aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to reduce pressure on students and improve assessment quality.

Key Objectives

• Reduce student stress by offering two attempts to improve scores.
• Shift towards a more holistic and competency-based assessment model.

Operational Concerns

• The focus remains largely on scheduling logistics rather than on conceptual learning and competency assessment.
• Lack of clarity on how examination papers will move away from rote learning to testing core competencies.
• The risk of increasing student anxiety by preparing for two examination rounds instead of one.

Logistical Challenges

• Projected 26.6 lakh students for Class 10 and 20 lakh for Class 12 in 2026.
• Excessive evaluation workload with double the answer scripts to be graded.
• Potential strain on school resources and teachers.
• Complexities in managing multiple exam schedules and ensuring fair processes.

Financial Implications

• Increased examination fees could disproportionately affect economically weaker students.
• Potential exploitation by private coaching centers.

Impact on School Calendars

• Compressed admission cycle for Class 11 if results are delayed until June-end.
• Potential confusion for students and administrators in finalizing admissions and subject streams.

Recommendations for Effective Implementation

• Integration of a structured remedial program between exams for meaningful learning improvement.
• Revision of examination fee structure to avoid penalizing students opting for a single attempt.
• Implementation should be phased with additional pilot programs to assess and refine logistics.