Déjà vu for students as CBSE rolls out 2 board exams for Class 10, teachers back move

Indian Express

4 days ago

To align board exams with the National Education Policy 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will now offer Class 10 students the opportunity to appear for board exams twice. The decision will be implemented from the 2026 academic year.
The first board exam, conducted in February, is the main examination that students must appear for; however, the second exam is optional. In the second board exam, students will have to appear in any three subjects to improve their performance.
'Doing the full syllabus twice feels like déjà vu with added pressure. It's like finishing a marathon and being told to run it again — only this time, faster and better, said Chiranjita Talukdar, a Class 10 student from Guwahati.
On the other hand, a Class 9 student from Ajmer, Jeni Panchal, said that having two board exams is like a safety net. 'Earlier, one bad day or a health issue could ruin the exam and its preparation, but now there's a safety net. I will feel more confident going into the first exam, knowing I can learn from it and improve if needed,' she said.
For Talukdar, who juggles between her school, coaching, and dance classes, having an additional board exam in Class 10th feels like 'no relief'. 'A student has to stay exam-ready throughout the year. It's not just about learning anymore, but constantly performing, revising, and staying in that high-stakes mindset,' she said, claiming that it feels more tiring than empowering.
For students, it may be a déjà vu situation and a safety net, but for teachers, it is a mixed bag full of opportunities and a few challenges.
Caesar D'Silva, principal of the Global Indian International School, Ahmedabad, said it offers students a second chance to improve their scores, reducing stress and exam pressure.
'However, this move demands significant logistical planning, increased teacher workload, and may disrupt the academic calendar. Moreover, it could impose financial strain on economically weaker students,' added D'Silva, while appreciating the move by the Board.
She added that effective implementation and support systems will be crucial to ensure the decision benefits students without overburdening schools and families.
Jyoti Arora, principal of the Delhi World Public School, claimed that the decision is a relief for students as they will be judged on their consistent learning rather than on a stroke of luck or an unfortunate day. She also acknowledges the challenges ahead on the road, like increased administrative complexity, teacher workload, and navigating between a demanding schedule of internal assessments and curriculum delivery challenges.
Anju Soni, principal of the Shiv Nadar School, Noida, highlights the issues that teachers and schools will face after the decision. 'The increased frequency of assessments will demand more from teachers in terms of invigilation, evaluation, and preparation. For this, we are planning to enhance teachers' training with regular assessments for students to monitor student progress and identify areas that require targeted support,' said Soni.
Rachana Heda, COO of Glentree Academy, Bangalore, believes that the CBSE's decision to offer a second optional board exam is a progressive step toward student well-being, giving children a fair chance to perform to their potential without added pressure.
'However, children must not be forced to give both exams by default—this option must be used thoughtfully, only when truly needed, to uphold its purpose of reducing pressure, not increasing it,' Heda added.
Sheen Kachroo is the Senior Sub-Editor working with the Indian Express Digital. ... Read More
Mridusmita Deka covers education and has worked with the Careers360 previously. She is an alumnus of Gauhati University and Dibrugarh University. ... Read More