The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced updated guidelines regarding special examinations for Class 10 and Class 12 students who are participating in national or international sports events and Olympiads. These provisions aim to ensure that students excelling in academics and extracurricular activities do not face a clash between their board examinations and their respective competitions.
CBSE has been offering this opportunity since 2018 for sports students and since 2020 for Olympiad participants. With the introduction of the twice-a-year board exam policy for Class 10, the framework has now been revised for the academic session 2025–26.
CBSE’s Special Exam Policy Overview
The CBSE has recognized that many students represent India at national and international levels, and their schedules often conflict with the dates of board examinations. To ensure such students are not disadvantaged, CBSE conducts special examinations at later dates under specific conditions.
These opportunities are available for:
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Students participating in sports events recognized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
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Students participating in International Olympiads recognized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) or any other appropriate authority in India.
CBSE Class 10 Special Exam Provisions 2026
With the implementation of the twice-a-year board exams policy for Class 10, CBSE has revised its special exam provisions:
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Class 10 students participating in sports or Olympiads whose exam dates clash with their events or journeys will now be allowed to appear only in the Second Board Examinations in May 2026.
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The First Board Examinations will be conducted in February 2026, and the Second Board Examinations in May 2026.
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Special exams will not be conducted separately after the first or second exams. Instead, students will be redirected to appear for the second exam in subjects where clashes occur.
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Students must obtain prior permission from CBSE for exemption from the first examination.
Important Note: If a Class 10 sports or Olympiad student appears in the second board examination but is placed in the compartment category, their compartment exam will be conducted the following year (February/March 2027).
CBSE Class 12 Special Exam Provisions 2026
For Class 12 students, the existing policy remains unchanged.
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If a student’s board examination dates clash with sports events or Olympiads, CBSE will re-conduct those examinations after the conclusion of the first round of board exams.
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This ensures that students can continue pursuing their competitive journeys without compromising their Class 12 final results.
Conditions for Availing Special Exam Provisions
CBSE has clarified several important conditions that schools and students must follow:
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Permission Required – Students must apply to CBSE for permission to skip the first exam and avail of the special provision.
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Limited to Clashing Subjects Only – Students can appear in the second board exam only for subjects that clash with their sports/Olympiad schedules.
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No Extra Exams – No separate sports examinations will be conducted beyond the official first and second board exam schedules.
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LOC Requirement – Schools must ensure that students fill the List of Candidates (LOC) for the main exam to be eligible for this provision.
Benefits of CBSE’s Special Exam Provisions
These provisions are a huge relief for students who juggle both academics and international-level competitions. Some key benefits include:
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Academic Security – Students don’t lose academic years due to exam-event clashes.
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Encouragement for Talent – CBSE supports holistic student development by valuing sports and Olympiads equally with academics.
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Reduced Stress – Students can focus on competitions without worrying about missing important board exams.
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Flexibility – Class 10 students can now leverage the second board exam in May as a structured backup.
Tentative Dates for CBSE Board Exams 2026
| Class | Exam Type | Exam Month | Special Exam Provision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 10 | First Board Exam | February 2026 | Not available for sports/Olympiad students |
| Class 10 | Second Board Exam | May 2026 | Students with clashes can appear only in this exam |
| Class 12 | Board Exam | February–March 2026 | Re-conducted later if exams clash with sports/Olympiads |
Important Guidelines for Schools & Students
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Schools must identify and inform CBSE in advance about students participating in eligible events.
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Students should retain proper documentation from the concerned sports/Olympiad authorities to claim eligibility.
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Applications for exemptions must be submitted well before the board exam dates.
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Parents should guide their wards to prepare academically alongside their sports/Olympiad commitments, as no additional retests will be arranged.
The CBSE special exam provisions for Class 10 and 12 sports and Olympiad students in 2026 reaffirm the board’s commitment to nurturing all-round student growth. With the new twice-a-year board exam system for Class 10, CBSE has streamlined the process by allowing such students to appear in the May 2026 examinations if their schedules clash with sports or Olympiads.
For Class 12 students, the current system remains unchanged, with re-conducted exams arranged after the first set.
By balancing academics with extracurricular excellence, CBSE ensures that talented students representing India in prestigious competitions can continue their journeys without compromising on their academic milestones.
CBSE Special Exam Provisions for Class 10 & 12 Sports and Olympiad Students
Q1. What are the special exam provisions announced by CBSE for Class 10 and 12 students?
CBSE has announced that students participating in national or international sports events and Olympiads will be given a special chance to appear in board exams at a later date if their exam dates clash with these events or the journey dates.
Q2. When will the special board exams be conducted for Class 10 students?
From 2026 onwards, Class 10 sports and Olympiad students can appear only in the second board examinations held in May 2026 for the subjects that clash with their event or travel schedule.
Q3. Will there be a separate exam after the first or second CBSE board exams for sports students?
No, CBSE has clarified that no separate sports exam will be held after the first or second board exams. Students can only appear in the May 2026 second exam session for the overlapping subjects.
Q4. Are the provisions different for Class 12 students?
Yes. For Class 12 students, CBSE will re-conduct examinations for the subjects that clash with their sports events or Olympiad journeys after the first board exams are over. There is no change in this scheme.
Q5. Do students need permission from CBSE to avail this exemption?
Yes. Students must obtain prior permission from CBSE to skip the first exam attempt and appear only in the second exam session. Schools should also ensure that such students fill the LOC (List of Candidates) for the main examination.
