The Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) decision to conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year starting in 2026 has sparked a thoughtful discussion among school principals. While many have welcomed the flexibility it promises students, others have flagged the need for robust planning and support systems to make it work smoothly. According to the new CBSE guidelines, the first exam will be held in February and the second in May. The second phase is optional and intended for students who wish to improve their scores, with the best score from either attempt being retained. Dr. Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, called the move a positive and student-friendly step that supports the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “It reduces pressure from a single high-stakes exam and gives students a fair chance to improve,” she said. However, she also stressed that effective implementation will depend on proper infrastructure, planning, and timely communication. Deepti Vohra, Principal of Delhi Public School, RK Puram, echoed similar views, saying the reform has the potential to reduce exam-related anxiety and shift the focus from rote learning to continuous learning. “It’s aligned with NEP and encourages a more application-based approach,” she added. However, some school heads voiced concerns about the academic calendar and workload. Sudha Acharya, Principal of ITL Public School, Dwarka, pointed out that spreading exams across several months may require a rethink of how schools plan teaching and assessments. Mallika Premanand, Principal of Tagore International School, Vasant Kunj, added that while the move is student-centric, further clarity will be needed, particularly regarding Class 11 admissions and overall academic scheduling. ALSO READ: CBSE Class 10 Board Exam To Be Held Twice-a-year From 2026, Phase 2 Optional Under the new policy, students can improve performance in up to three subjects—Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages. Internal assessments will continue to be held once a year, and students from winter-bound schools can choose to appear in either phase. The CBSE had earlier shared a draft version of the policy for feedback and has now finalised it, with a view to making board exams more flexible, less stressful, and aligned with the evolving education landscape. (With inputs from PTI)