https://educationtoday.co/blog/blog-details?id=2893&url=CBSE%E2%80%99s-Proposal-to-Hold-Two-Class-10-Board-Exams-Per-Year-A-Step-Towards-Reducing-Student-Stress *CBSE’s Proposal to Hold Two Class 10 Board Exams Per Year: A Step Towards Reducing Student Stress* The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is exploring the possibility of holding Class 10 board exams twice a year, starting from the 2026 academic year. The initiative, in line with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP), aims to reduce student stress and offer more opportunities for improvement. This proposed change would also affect the structure of the annual examination period, reducing it from the current month-long schedule to under two weeks. The Proposed Two-Exam System: What’s Changing? Currently, CBSE's Class 10 exams span about a month, with exams typically starting in February and concluding in March. Students often have gaps of 3 to 10 days between their subjects, traditionally providing ample time for preparation. For instance, this year’s exams started on February 15 and will continue until March 18. However, introducing a biannual exam system would necessitate a drastic reduction in the gap between exams. CBSE may compress the schedule to accommodate two separate board exams to just one or two weeks, with exams potentially occurring on consecutive days. This proposed shift is part of the government's efforts to reform India’s education system and reduce the pressure on students, especially during their board exams. According to sources, the Education Ministry aims to finalize the logistics and share the draft proposal with the public for feedback. Two Exams a Year: Benefits and Challenges The concept behind holding two exams per year is to give students more opportunities to succeed and reduce the weight of a single high-stakes examination. With two exams, students who may not perform well the first time would have another chance to improve their grades within the same academic year. The new approach also addresses the challenges of the long waiting period between exams and results. Under the current system, Class 10 students typically wait until May for their results, which can be stressful. The proposed system will likely declare the first set of results by March, allowing students to know their scores two months earlier than in the current format. The second exam will occur in early May; results are expected by June. This compressed timeline streamlines the process and ensures students have more time to plan for their next steps, whether in higher education or other career paths. While this change initially primarily targets Class 10 students, the government plans to assess its effectiveness before deciding whether to extend the same structure to Class 12 exams. National Education Policy and the Push for Biannual Exams This proposal aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 objectives, which advocate for a shift away from high-pressure, one-time exams. Under the NEP, the aim is to provide students with multiple opportunities to prove their abilities throughout the academic year, making the education system more flexible and stress-free. The new policy would allow students to take their exams at least twice during the school year, retaining only their best scores. This approach could offer students greater autonomy over their learning and outcomes and ensure a safety net if they don’t perform well the first time. Additionally, the NEP envisions a more holistic, continuous evaluation system. Under this system, subject-specific board exams could be available immediately after each term. Students would then be able to opt for “semester-wise” or “on-demand” examinations. These reforms would move away from the traditional model of holding a single final exam at the end of the academic year. Addressing Practical Concerns While the biannual exam system holds promise, it also brings significant logistical challenges. Conducting exams twice a year while maintaining the quality of the process will require careful planning. One of the main concerns is the examination period's compression, which could leave little room for adequate preparation. Additionally, the timing of the exams could be impacted by factors like extreme weather conditions in some areas of the country. For instance, conducting exams earlier in the year may be challenging in the northern states, where winter conditions can be harsh. These concerns must be addressed to ensure that the academic year remains structured and students have enough time to prepare. Conclusion: A Step Towards Stress-Free Education? Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasized that appearing for exams twice a year will be optional. The initiative’s ultimate goal is to reduce students' stress during board exams while ensuring they have multiple chances to succeed. The CBSE is gathering feedback from educators, students, and other stakeholders to finalize the proposal. If implemented, this could significantly shift India’s education system, offering more opportunities for student growth and achievement. *For more details visit* https://youtu.be/zIOwNnkUiwI https://www.theenn.com/video-0a043bee5.html