No change in CBSE Class 10 subjects for 2026, board will offer 45 languages: Chairman clarifies

NEW DELHI: Amid language row, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) chairperson Rahul Singh clarified that the scheme of subjects and the number of academic subjects will remain unchanged for the 2026 board exams. The major shift from the current exam practice is the proposed dual-board exams for CBSE Class 10 from .

A day after the CBSE draft policy was notified, the Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains opposed the absence of Punjabi from the list of subjects in the draft scheme. The CBSE exam controller Sanyam Bharadwaj in an immediate response issued a clarification stating that the list is ‘indicative’ and that all subjects offered in this academic year will be offered in the upcoming year as well.

The CBSE chairperson had also issued a clarification regarding the new draft policy and the number of subjects for Class 10 students. He said that the new scheme has been framed as per the recommendations of the National Educational Policy (NEP 2020).

Highlighting the salient features of the draft policy, Singh said it is “continuation of the current scheme of exam while providing an opportunity to appear in the second board examination in as many subjects as the student desires. This is aimed to provide another opportunity to students to improve their performance.”

Also read Analysis: What CBSE’s holding Class 10 board exams twice a year means for schools, teachers, students

CBSE offers 84 subjects

At present, the CBSE Board offers a total of 84 subjects - 16 academic, 23 skill, and 45 languages - in Class 9 and 10. Students will be allowed to choose any two languages, 3 elective subjects from the list of academic subjects. Additionally, students will have to choose a skill subject and 1 more language as the seventh subject.

Class 10 students will be allowed to opt for a maximum of 7 subjects. The same set of academic, skill, and language subjects shall continue for the 2026 board exam, the chairperson said.

“The candidates with special needs will also continue to avail of the same facilities as extended presently. Similarly, any relaxation extended to any institution presently shall continue,” he said.

Also read CBSE Class 12 board exam still once a year; 20 lakh expected to appear in 2026 from February 17

CBSE Class 10 board exam date 2026

The CBSE chairperson said that the major departure from the current exam regulations is that the exam for some subjects in Class 10 will be conducted two or three times so that choices of the subjects offered by students can be accommodated. This is done to reduce the duration of exams.

The CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026 will be held twice - first phase will be conducted from February 17 to March 6 and second phase from May 5 to May 20. Students will be allotted the day of the exam based on the formula devised by the CBSE and the subject combination offered by the student. For an exam which is being held on multiple days, students will not be given a choice to select dates of exam.

Encouraging stakeholders and the public to send feedback, the chairperson said that the final policy will be published after reviewing the suggestions sent before March 9.