CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam May 2026: Apply Before April 22 — Dates, Eligibility & Fees

CBSE introduces a new two-paper system for Class 10 students, allowing them to take another chance at getting better marks in the second board exam that will be held in May 2026—but there’s not much time left to apply.

Explanation of CBSE’s two-examination pattern

CBSE had initiated its Two Board Examination Scheme through an official notification on June 25, 2025. This means that students enrolled in Class 10 and who have taken their main exams in early 2026 now have the opportunity to take another exam in May 2026. It has become possible just to give students the opportunity to do well in three subjects without sacrificing a whole year’s effort. The second exam will also be based on the same curriculum as the first.

Who is eligible to appear for it?

Not all students are eligible to take up the second examination. Those eligible to appear in this test are students who sat for the board examinations in the year 2026 and want to enhance their grades in at most three subjects, as well as private students who were in the compartment category during the session 2024–25 and are still eligible to appear. It should be noted that students who were absent in three or more subjects in the previous examination come under the category of "essential repeat" and are not allowed to sit for the examination in May.

Application Process

Applications for both regular and foreign students need to be done exclusively through the CBSE website for private candidates: https://www.cbse.gov.in/newsite/private/index.html. Manual submission of application forms would not be accepted. After completing the form, candidates have to pay the application fees during that particular sitting itself; an application that does not have any application fee will be deemed invalid, and no prior information about such cancellation will be given. Application fee payment would be accepted by net banking, debit card, or domestic/international credit cards only.

Date of Application and Deadline

The application process will take place in two phases. In phase one, the dates range from April 16, 2026, (noon) to April 20, 2026, (midnight). This is when candidates are expected to register for the course at the normal fee structure. Phase two spans from April 21, 2026, to April 22, 2026 (midnight), although it includes a late fee of ₹2,000 alongside the normal fee. Candidates are advised to register in phase one to save money.

Structure of Fees for Candidates

Exam fees are levied on a per subject basis. Those appearing for the exam from India shall pay Rs 320 per subject. The Nepalese candidates shall pay Rs 1,100 per subject, while candidates from other countries will have to pay Rs 2,200 per subject. However, in case of application during the second stage of the window period, candidates will have to pay an extra late fee of Rs 2,000 per candidate, along with the per-subject fee.

Important instructions and caution statements issued by CBSE

CBSE has announced stringent rules regarding compliance that candidates must follow. If there are any inconsistencies or false entries on the application form, we will consider the application invalid. Furthermore, the candidate shall forfeit his/her fees paid to CBSE. If any candidate uses cyber cafes or third parties to fill in the application forms, it should be noted that the candidate himself/herself is solely liable for the authenticity of all entries made in the application form. The board has also specified that once the candidate selects his/her examination center, he/she cannot change it.