CBSE introduces new exam provisions for athletes and Olympiad participants

Key changes for Class 10 students

In a significant update for Class 10 students, the special examination will now be conducted exclusively alongside the second board examination, which is scheduled for May 2026. The first board exam will begin in mid-February 2026. Here are the main points for students and parents:

• Mandatory LOC submission: Students must submit their List of Candidates (LOC) for the main examination.

• Eligibility: Special exams are only for subjects whose exam dates coincide with the student's sporting event or travel.

• No separate exams: The board will not hold any special examinations after either the first or second board exams.

• Compartment cases: If a student gets a compartment in a subject they took in the second board exam under this special provision, their compartment exam will be held in February/March of the following year.

• Permission required: Students must obtain permission from the CBSE for an exemption from the first board examination as per the policy.

Guidelines for Class 12 students

For Class 12 students, there are no changes to the existing scheme. Students whose journey or sports event clashes with their examination can take a re-conducted exam after the main exams are over.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both classes

To avail of this special opportunity, students must follow a strict process:

• Student request: Students must submit a request to their school to be considered for the special exam.

• School recommendation: The school must then send its recommendation, along with a "Certificate of Participation" from the relevant authority (SAI/BCCI/HBCSE), to the concerned CBSE Regional Office by December 15 of the academic year.

• Approval: The Regional Office will communicate its approval to the school by December 30.

• Re-examination dates: The re-conducted examination will be held within 15 days of the last main board examination.

Important conditions and clarifications

The circular specifies that this provision is only for sports recognized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) or the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), and for Olympiads recognized by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE). It does not apply to:

• Supplementary examinations.

• Practical exams, projects, or internal assessments.

• Participation in training or selection camps.

Additionally, the board will not grant exemptions for attendance beyond its rules. Schools must ensure that all student records and internal assessments are updated and aligned with the prescribed schedule. Any requests that do not follow the policy will be rejected.