CBSE unveils 8 major changes for Class 10, 12 board exams; what students need to know

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced several major revisions for CBSE board exams 2025-26. The board has mandated the linking of APAAR ID of students, revised exam registration fee, and reiterated the 75% attendance for Class 10, 12 board exams 2025-26, and approved OBAs for Class 9.

Students have to obtain APAAR IDs before the board exam registration process and submit the LOC to appear for the CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams. APAAR IDs will help in improving data accuracy and eliminating duplication.

CBSE board exam fee has been increased by Rs 20 per subject, marking about a 6.66% hike in India. For Nepal and foreign countries, the exam fee for each subject has been increased by 10%. The practical exam application fee has also been hiked by Rs 10 per subject, and Rs 25 for each subject for students in Nepal and other countries.

CBSE has recently reasserted that 75% attendance is mandatory to appear for the CBSE board 2025-26 exams; however, 25% relaxation will be given in cases of medical emergencies, participation in national or international sports events, if supported by necessary documents.

CBSE approves open-books assessments for Class 9

Aligning with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE 2023), the board has also approved the open book assessments for Class 9 from academic year 2026-27 onwards. The OBAs for Class 9 will include three pen-paper assessments per term, covering core subjects like Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.

The initiative aims to reduce exam stress, encourage real-world application of knowledge, and shift from rote memorization to concept-based learning among students.

Also read 18,839 CBSE schools offer AI as a skill subject from Class 6: Education ministry

CBSE Class 10 board exams twice a year

CBSE has approved to conduct CBSE Class 10 board exams twice a year. The board has mandated all students to appear for the first board exam and will be allowed to improve their performance in any of three subjects, including science, maths, social sciences, and languages, in the second exam. Students whose results in the first board exam will be under the compartment category can re-appear in the second exam under the same category. The internal assessments will be conducted only once before the main examinations.

Digital evaluation of answer books

In order to reduce the evaluation time and provide accuracy in result evaluation, the board intends to select one or more service providers with relevant experience in the digital evaluation of answer books. The implementation of ‘Digital Evaluation’ will reduce errors and make the examination protocol stronger.

The technology is being used in various universities and has proven beneficial. The board members have suggested that the on-screen marking will be implemented in all subjects only after completion of pilot projects across the regional offices of the board.

Also read CBSE adopts new re-evaluation process, split Class 10 science question papers; will test on-screen marking

CBSE to felicitate scribes helping CWSN students

Under the recent updates, CBSE has also decided to issue a letter of appreciation to scribes for helping the CWSN students. The board has asked the centre superintendents and schools to update the data of scribes on the Online Exam Centre Management System (OECMS). The data has to be filled in the OECMS portal so that it can be accessed easily by the board to issue the appreciation letter to candidates.

Furthermore, in case if students are found missing from schools or not attending classes during surprise inspections, they will not be allowed to appear for board examinations. Recently, the board made revisions to its affiliation bye-laws by restricting the number of sections a school can make as per its built-up area.