The CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 is commencing today, May 15, 2026, organized by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for students seeking to improve their scores from the main exams held in February-March 2026, whose results were declared on April 15, 2026. This second examination opportunity allows candidates to reappear in one, two, or three subjects to enhance their performance. A total of 6,68,854 students have registered, including 85,285 under the compartment category and 5,25,655 for improvement, with 2,66,209 females and 4,02,643 males participating across the country. The exams will run from May 15 to May 21, 2026, in a single daily session from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at designated centers. Students must report at least one hour early, by 10:00 AM, for verification, carrying their admit cards and school ID. Key highlights include strict guidelines on dress code, prohibiting electronic devices and social media sharing of exam material, and emphasizing proper conduct. Eligibility is open to those who applied for improvement or compartment after the main results. The selection process involves appearing for the written exams in chosen subjects, with results to follow later. Admit cards were released last week, and candidates should check them for center details. This initiative helps students achieve better academic outcomes without affecting their original scores.
Important Dates
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Exam Commencement | May 15, 2026 |
| Exam Conclusion | May 21, 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM |
| Reporting Time | By 10:00 AM |
| Main Exam Period | February-March 2026 |
| Main Results Declaration | April 15, 2026 |
CBSE 10th Exam 2026: Second Exam Statistics
| Category | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Total Students | 6,68,854 |
| Compartment | 85,285 |
| Improvement | 5,25,655 |
| Female | 2,66,209 |
| Male | 4,02,643 |
| One Subject | 1,92,508 |
| Two Subjects | 2,79,227 |
| Three Subjects | 1,97,119 |
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicants | Candidates who wish to improve scores from main exams or appear under compartment |
| Application | Required to fill applications after main results declaration |
| Subjects | One, two, or three subjects for re-examination |
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Written Examination | Appearance in chosen subjects during the scheduled dates |
| Verification | Admit card and ID check at center |
| Result | Based on performance in second exam (improvement applied if better) |
CBSE Class 10 Second Exam 2026 Instructions by the Board
| Instruction | Details |
|---|---|
| Reporting Time | No entry after 10:00 AM; arrive early considering traffic and weather |
| Dress Code & Documents | School uniform, school ID, CBSE Admit Card; only prescribed stationery; no electronic devices |
| Conduct | No rumours or sharing exam material on social media (WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube, X, etc.) |