CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the List of Candidates (LOC) guidelines for the CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026. This is the first time in history that CBSE is conducting two board examinations for Class 10 students in the same academic year, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. With the Phase 1 result now declared on April 15, 2026, the Phase 2 LOC window is now open. Students who wish to improve their scores or clear compartment subjects must act quickly through their respective schools.
CBSE 10th Result 2026 Declared – Download Marksheet Now at cbse.gov.in; Direct Link Here
CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 – Overview
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CBSE Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026 |
| Official Notice Date | March 17, 2026 |
| Phase 1 Result Declaration | April 15, 2026 |
| Second Board Exam Dates | May 15 to June 1, 2026 |
| Second Exam Result | By June 30, 2026 |
| Exam Fee (India) | Rs 320 per subject (Rs 960 for 3 subjects) |
| Exam Fee (Nepal) | Rs 1,100 per subject |
| Exam Fee (Other Countries) | Rs 2,200 per subject |
| Late Fee | Rs 2,000 (applicable in Phase 3) |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
LOC Submission – 3-Phase Schedule
CBSE has introduced a three-phase LOC submission system to give schools and students enough flexibility. All submissions must be completed through the school. The portal closes at 11:59 PM on the last day of each phase.
| Phase | LOC Submission Window | Fee Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 – Advance Registration | March 18 to March 31, 2026 | Within 5 days after result declaration |
| Phase 2 – Post-Result Window | Within 5 days of result declaration (from April 16) | Within the same 5-day window |
| Phase 3 – Late Fee Window | From the 7th day after result declaration, for 2 days | Within the same 2-day window + Rs 2,000 late fee |
Important: Students who registered in Phase 1 still need to complete their final fee payment within 5 days of result declaration. Simply submitting the LOC in Phase 1 does not confirm registration — fee payment is mandatory to finalise the enrollment.
Who is Eligible for the CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026?
- Passed students: Can appear to improve marks in up to 3 subjects from Science, Mathematics, Social Science, or Languages.
- Compartment students: Students who failed in 1 to 2 subjects can appear to clear pending subjects. A fresh LOC submission is required.
- Special category students: Students who passed via subject replacement or received special board permission (e.g., sports quota students) are also eligible.
Who is NOT Eligible?
- Students who did not appear in 3 or more subjects in Phase 1 are placed in the Essential Repeat (ER) category — they must appear in the main board exam in February 2027.
- No new candidates can be added to the LOC — only students who appeared in the first board examination are eligible.
Key Rules for the CBSE Second Board Exam 2026
- Same Syllabus: Exactly the same as the Phase 1 main board exam — no change in curriculum or pattern.
- No Subject Change: Switching subjects between the two exams is not allowed. The only exception is Mathematics, as per existing CBSE policy.
- Same Exam Centre: The exam centre allotted for the second exam will remain the same. No change requests will be accepted once a centre is assigned.
- Internal Assessment Carries Forward: Internal assessment and practical marks from Phase 1 will be used directly. These will not be re-conducted.
- Best Score Counts: The higher of the two scores (Phase 1 or Phase 2) will be used for the final marksheet.
- No Individual Applications: The school principal must submit the LOC — students and parents cannot apply directly.
- No Corrections After Submission: No changes in student data or subject selection will be accepted after LOC is submitted.
- CWSN Provisions: Special provisions for Children With Special Needs will continue only for students already registered under this category in Phase 1.
Fee Payment Rules
- All fees must be paid online only before the deadline of each phase.
- Official fee is Rs 320 per subject for India. Late fee of Rs 2,000 applies in Phase 3.
- CBSE has strictly directed schools to not collect any unauthorised fees. Schools found charging extra amounts may face action from the board.
- Students and parents should report any demand for extra money to CBSE through official channels.
Role of School Principals
CBSE has placed key responsibilities on school principals for smooth execution of this system. Principals must:
- Clearly inform students and parents about eligibility rules and exam guidelines.
- Advise students to opt for the second exam only when genuinely needed.
- Verify all student details carefully before final LOC submission — corrections are not accepted after submission.
- Inform students that exam centres may be limited and not always close to their location.
Important Links
| Details | Link |
|---|---|
| Official CBSE LOC Notice (17 March 2026) | Download Official PDF |
| CBSE Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
| CBSE Result Portal | results.cbse.nic.in |
Students are advised to coordinate with their school immediately after checking the CBSE 10th Result 2026 and decide whether they want to appear for the second board exam. The Phase 2 LOC window is open for only 5 days after result declaration — acting quickly is important to avoid the late fee window.
