The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially started the registration process for the Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026 from March 18, 2026. Schools can now begin submitting the List of Candidates (LOC).
CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 Phase 2 registration starts from March 18. Get complete details on eligibility criteria, the three-phase LOC submission schedule, Rs 960 fee, subjects, and important rules under NEP 2020.
This new introduction of two-exam system gives students a chance to improve their performance or score within the same academic year—without waiting for the next session. Unlike traditional supplementary exams, this is a addon opportunity designed to help students to boost their performance or scores in board exam.
Three-Phase LOC Submission Schedule Are Given Below:
To make the process more easy for students, CBSE Board has introduced a three-phase LOC submission system:
- Phase 1 (Advance Registration):
March 18 to March 31, 2026
Schools are encouraged to register eligible students. - Phase 2 (Post-Result Window):
Starts right after the main exam results are declared and remains open for 5 days.
This allows students to decide based on their actual performance in the exam. - Phase 3 (Late Fee Window):
Opens from the 7th day after result declaration and continues for 2 days. A late fee will be applicable during this phase.
The LOC submission portal will stay open until 11:59 PM on the last day of each phase.
Who Can Appear for the Second Exam?
The second board exam is not open to everyone. Students must have appeared in the main board exam to be part of this eligible criteria.
Eligible students include following parameters:
-
Improvement Candidates:
Students who have passed can re-appear in up to three subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages) to improve their exam performance.
-
Compartment Students:
Students placed in the compartment category can take the second exam to clear their pending subjects.
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Other Cases:
Includes students who passed through subject replacement or special cases such as sports students approved by CBSE Board.
Who is Not Eligible in second round of exam?
- Students who missed the main board exam or failed in three or more subjects will fall under the Essential Repeat (ER) category.
- These students must appear in the main board exam next year (February 2027).
- Also, no new students can be added or entertain to the LOC if they were not part of the first CBSE board exam.
Important Rules to Remember for Second Attempt
CBSE Board has clear rules for the students appearing for second exam:
- Same Syllabus:
The syllabus will remain exactly the same as the main previous board exam. - No Subject Change:
Students cannot change subjects. The only exception applies to Mathematics, as per CBSE Board policy. - Same Exam Centre:
The exam centre will remain the same for both the attempts and Center cannot be changed further. - Internal Assessment:
Exam Marks for practical’s and internal assessments will be same carried forward. These will not be conducted again.
How to Apply for CBSE Class 10 Second Exam 2026?
Students cannot apply individually. The entire process must be gone through their respective schools.
School authorities are responsible for second exam attempt of a student’s:
- Guiding students on whether they should opt or eligible for the second exam.
- Submitting correct details within the given timeline for the second attempt of the board exam class 10.
