Under the existing system, a Class 12 student following the CBSE syllabus appears for a single board exam every year, usually in February-March. After the examination, the result is announced in the month of May.

The central government is planning to introduce a second board exam for Class 12 students admitted to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools. The proposal is based on recommendations made by the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) and will be implemented from June 2026, reports The Indian Express.

Current Exam Structure

Under the existing system, a Class 12 student following the CBSE syllabus appears for a single board exam every year, usually in February-March. After the examination, the result is announced in the month of May. In cases where students are unsatisfied with their marks, they have the opportunity to opt for supplementary exams for specific subjects, usually held in July.

This year, the supplementary exams were held on July 15, giving students a chance to improve their grades.

The new National Education Policy 2020 advocates significant changes in the examination system aimed at reducing the burden on students. Moving away from high-level exams with extensive syllabus, the policy proposes to introduce biennial board exams. According to the report, the education ministry has asked the CBSE to come up with a plan to conduct two annual board exams for Class 12 students from 2026 onwards.