Decoding the CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025-26 Reforms
Class 10 is a pivotal moment in a student’s academic life, establishing a sound foundation for their future educational journey. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced significant reforms for the 2025-26 academic session, aligning the CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. These changes aim to redesign board exams to promote holistic development, reduce pressure, and focus on core competencies.
The tentative exam schedule for the Class 10 Board Exams 2026 is set to begin on 17 February 2026.
Comparison with Previous Pattern: The Major Shift
The most profound change implemented, stemming from NEP 2020, is the introduction of two board examinations in a single academic year.
|
Feature
|
Previous CBSE Pattern (Pre-2026 Policy Change)
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New CBSE Pattern (From 2026)
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|---|---|---|
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Number of Attempts
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Typically one main examination (plus compartment/supplementary)
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Two Board Exams (Main examination and one for improvement)
|
|
Result Calculation
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Based on the single annual exam score
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Based on the best score achieved across the two attempts
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|
Assessment Focus
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Traditionally leaned towards memorisation and theoretical knowledge
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Shift towards testing Core Capacities/Competencies (making exams 'easier' in this sense)
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|
Question Types
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Variable mix of objective and subjective questions
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Mandated increased weightage for competency-based and objective questions
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Key Changes in Question Paper Structure
The reformed scheme aims to eliminate the need for undertaking coaching classes and reduce the ‘high stakes’ nature of the exams. The structure of the 80-mark theory paper for major subjects now emphasises application and understanding:
- Competency-Based Questions (CBQs): These hold a substantial 50% weightage and include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), case study-based questions, and source-based questions.
- Objective-Type Questions: These account for 20% weightage and are typically short, fact-based, and direct-answer type questions.
- Short & Long Answer Questions: These now constitute 30% weightage and require detailed explanation, analysis, and interpretation.
How the Changes Affect Students
The introduction of the two-exam scheme and the focus on competency-based learning affects students positively in several ways:
- Reduced Exam Pressure: Students are allowed up to two attempts (main and improvement) during the school year, significantly mitigating the ‘high stakes’ aspect of a single annual exam.
- Flexibility and Improvement: The option to use the best of the two scores offers a safety net and a genuine chance for improvement, even allowing students who failed 1 to 5 subjects in the first attempt to reappear for improvement in the second exam.
- Focus on Real Learning: By testing core capacities rather than rote memorisation, the pattern encourages students to develop conceptual understanding and practical application skills, fostering holistic development.
- Early Admission Option: Performance from the first examination will be available in DigiLocker and can be used for provisional admission to Class XI if the student chooses not to appear in the second exam.
How confident do you feel about the new two-exam system?
What Students Need to Focus On (Study Strategy)
With the emphasis shifting heavily towards competency and application, students must adjust their preparation strategies:
- Prioritise Conceptual Understanding: Since 50% of the paper is Competency-Based, rote memorisation is no longer sufficient. Students must focus on decoding, analysing, interpreting, and applying core concepts across all subjects.
- Practice Case Studies and MCQs: Mastery of the Multiple Choice and Case-Based Questions formats is essential to secure the 70% objective/competency weightage.
- Time Management and Structure: Understanding the detailed subject-wise structure and unit weightages is crucial for effective preparation and scoring well. Smart preparation, including reviewing the syllabus and chapter-wise weightage, is key.
- Strengthen Internal Assessment: Internal assessment still accounts for 20 marks. Students must perform well in pen-paper-based periodic tests, portfolio submissions, and subject enrichment activities (including lab work/projects).
Subject-Wise Exam Pattern (2025-26)
The total marks for theory papers in major subjects are 80, with 20 marks allocated for Internal Assessment, resulting in a total of 100 marks. The examination duration for the theory paper is 3 hours.
1. Mathematics (Basic / Standard)
The structure of the Mathematics paper remains uniform for both Basic and Standard options and is the same as in previous years.
|
Section
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Type of Questions
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Marks (out of 80)
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Key Focus
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|---|---|---|---|
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Section A (Q. 1 to Q.20)
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MCQs (18) + Assertion-Reason Based (2)
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20
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Objective and fact-based testing.
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|
Section B (Q. 21 to Q.25)
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Very Short Answer (VSA) (5 Qs x 2 marks)
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10
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Short answers.
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Section C (Q. 26 to Q.31)
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Short Answer Questions (SA) (6 Qs x 3 marks)
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18
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Detailed explanation.
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Section D (Q. 32 to Q. 35)
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Long Answer Questions (LA) (4 Qs x 5 marks)
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20
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In-depth problem solving.
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|
Section E (Q. 36 to Q. 38)
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Case-Based Questions (3 Qs x 4 marks)
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12
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Application and competency testing.
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|
Weightage Focus
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Algebra (20 marks), Geometry (15 marks), Trigonometry (12 marks).
|
||
2. Science (Revised Pattern)
The Class 10 Science paper pattern for 2026 has been revised to be more structured and competency-based.
Key Change: The paper is now divided into three subject-specific sections: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
|
Section
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Details
|
Marks (approx.)
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Unit Weightage Focus
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Theory Total
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39 compulsory questions (MCQs, VSA, SA, LA, Case-Based)
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80
|
|
|
Biology (Q.1 to Q.16)
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Includes Assertion–Reason and Case/Experiment/Diagram Based Questions
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30 marks
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World of Living (25 marks)
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|
Chemistry (Q.17 to Q.29)
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Equal weightage to Physics
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25 marks
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Chemical Substances – Nature and Behaviour (25 marks)
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Physics (Q.30 to Q.39)
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Equal weightage to Chemistry
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25 marks
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Effects of Current (13 marks), Natural Phenomena (12 marks)
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3. Social Science (Revised Pattern)
The Social Science paper for 2026 has also been revised to be more structured.
Key Change: The paper is explicitly divided into four sections, each dedicated to one main subject area (History, Geography, Political Science, Economics), with each section carrying 20 marks.
|
Section
|
Subject
|
Marks (Theory)
|
Question Types
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Section A
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History
|
20
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VSA (2 marks), SA (3 marks), LA (5 marks), Case-Based (4 marks)
|
|
Section B
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Geography
|
20
|
VSA, SA, LA, Case-Based
|
|
Section C
|
Political Science
|
20
|
VSA, SA, LA, Case-Based
|
|
Section D
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Economics
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20
|
VSA, SA, LA, Case-Based
|
|
Section F (Q. 37)
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Map-Skill Based (History 2 marks, Geography 3 marks)
|
05
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Map questions are compulsory.
|
|
Weightage Focus
|
All four units carry an equal weightage of 25%.
|
||
4. English (Language & Literature)
The English paper structure assesses reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
|
Section
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Competency Focus
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Marks (out of 80)
|
Weightage
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reading Comprehension
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Conceptual understanding, inferring, vocabulary (Discursive and Case-based passages)
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20
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25%
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|
Writing Skills and Grammar
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Creative expression, using integrated structures (Formal letters, analytical paragraphs, Tenses, Modals, etc.)
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20
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25%
|
|
Language through Literature
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Recalling, reasoning, appreciating literary conventions (Extracts, Short and Long Answers from First Flight and Footprints Without Feet)
|
40
|
50%
|
5. Hindi (Course A/B)
Similar to English, the Hindi curriculum also focuses on balanced language development.
|
Section
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Competency Focus
|
Marks (out of 80)
|
Weightage
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reading Comprehension
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Conceptual understanding of unread prose and poetry
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20
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25%
|
|
Writing Skills and Grammar
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Creative writing (Paragraph, Letter writing, Resume/Email), Applied Grammar (e.g., वाक्य भेद, वाच्य, पद परिचय, अलंकार for Hindi A)
|
20
|
25%
|
|
Language through Literature
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Textual questions (MCQs, Very Short-form, Short-form answers from क्षितिज, भाग–2 and कृतिका भाग–2)
|
40
|
50%
|
The new CBSE 2026 approach is designed to foster flexible assessment and a deeper understanding of subjects. By shifting the focus from memorisation to core capacities, students are empowered to approach their board exams with greater confidence and reduced anxiety. Viewing the exam not as a single high-stakes hurdle, but as two opportunities to demonstrate learning, transforms the academic experience into a marathon with a crucial mid-way chance to check pacing and correct course.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Is the second board exam for Class 10 mandatory?
No. The second board exam, likely scheduled for May 2026, is optional. It is an Improvement exam for students who want to enhance their marks in up to three subjects after passing the first (mandatory) exam in February.
2. How will the final result be calculated with two attempts?
The final marksheet will record the highest score attained from both attempts (February and May) for each subject. If both attempts are taken in a subject, the higher mark will be retained.
3. What is the breakdown of the 80-mark theory paper for major subjects?
The distribution of marks for major subjects (Science, Social Science) will be structured as follows: 50% Competency-Based Questions, 20% Objective-Type Questions, and 30% Short or Long Answer Questions.
4. What if a student fails the first board exam in one or two subjects?
Those students will have the opportunity to reappear in one or two subjects in the May exams. The May exams will be a compartmental exam for students who didn’t clear the February exams.
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