CBSE Examination Reforms 2026: Class 10 Twice-a-Year Boards & Digital Marking Explained

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is rolling out some of the biggest examination reforms in years — and if you have a child in Class 10 or 12,…

By Reetam Bodhak

February 18, 2026

3 min read

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is rolling out some of the biggest examination reforms in years — and if you have a child in Class 10 or 12, you absolutely need to know what’s changing. Here’s everything broken down simply.

What’s Changing? CBSE Overview

Reform	Class	Details
Twice-a-Year Board Exams	Class 10	Both exams mandatory; second for improvement/compartment
Subject Improvement Option	Class 10	Improve up to 3 subjects (Science, Maths, SST, Languages)
Compartment Exam	Class 10	Compartment students appear in 2nd exam
Subject-wise Evaluation	Class 10	Science & SST marked by subject specialists
On-Screen Marking (OSM)	Class 12	Digital evaluation for transparency & speed

Class 10: Two Board Exams Starting 2026

From 2026, CBSE will conduct Class 10 Board Examinations twice a year. The first exam is mandatory for all students. Those who clear it can choose to improve their scores in up to three subjects — Science, Mathematics, Social Science, or Languages.

Students who land in the Compartment category after the first attempt will get a second chance through the second examination under the compartment scheme. This is a student-friendly move that reduces exam pressure and gives learners a fair shot at improvement. Learn more about how board exams work on Wikipedia’s page on CBSE.

Class 12: Going Digital with On-Screen Marking (OSM)

For Class 12, CBSE is transitioning to a digital On-Screen Marking system — a game changer for accuracy and efficiency. Here’s why OSM matters:

No totalling errors — automated calculation reduces human mistakes
Faster results — wider teacher participation speeds up evaluation
Eco-friendly — reduces paper usage and transport costs
Global reach — overseas affiliated schools can also participate
No post-result verification needed — saving time and manpower

This shift mirrors global best practices and positions CBSE among modern examination boards worldwide.

Subject-wise Evaluation for Class 10

For Science and Social Science, answer scripts will now be evaluated subject-wise by concerned experts. This ensures specialised, accurate assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach — a much-needed upgrade for technical subjects.

📌 Note: Class 10 answer books will still be evaluated in physical mode in 2026, with digital evaluation expected in future phases.

For more tech and education updates, check out our coverage at TechnoSports.

FAQs

Q: Can all Class 10 students appear in the second CBSE Board Exam 2026?

Only students wishing to improve scores (up to 3 subjects) or those in the Compartment category are eligible for the second exam; the first exam is mandatory for everyone.

Q: Will Class 12 CBSE results be faster with OSM?

Yes — On-Screen Marking enables wider teacher participation and automated processing, significantly reducing evaluation time and improving result turnaround.