India’s school examination system witnessed a shift in 2025 as both the central and state education boards moved away from the traditional once a year board exam model for the students. National Education Policy NEP 2020 announced two or more board exam opportunities for Classes 10 and 12 students marking a major transformation in the assessment process conducted for the student every year.
For decades Class 10 and 12 board exams in India were defined by a single attempt that could shape a student’s future. Any Illness, personal emergencies or a bad exam day often had long term consequences for college admissions and career prospects.
Under NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework NCF the Union government encouraged boards to adopt flexible and low stress assessments. A key recommendation was to conduct board exams at least twice a year allowing students to retain their best score and perform remarkably in exams. CBSE introduces two board exams per year
The Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE led the reform by announcing two Class 10 board exams annually from the 2025-26 academic year.
CBSE clarified that the syllabus, exam pattern and evaluation criteria will remain the same for both the exams conducted in a academic year. The Officials emphasised that the second attempt is meant to reduce pressure and should be treated as an improvement opportunity for the students appearing for the boards. The current change applies to Class 10 and a similar system for Class 12 is expected in the coming years.
State boards adopt NEP aligned exam reforms
Several state boards followed CBSE’s lead in 2025 by introducing multiple board exam attempts:
Madhya Pradesh introduced two board exams each year for Classes 10 and 12 with the best score considered scored by the students.
Gujarat GSEB has introduced two board examinations each year for both secondary and higher secondary students. Both exams will follow the same syllabus and exam pattern with the second exam offered as an optional chance to improve scores.
Haryana has adopted a similar approach by offering a second board exam as an optional and stress reducing opportunity rather than appearing again for a examination. Students can decide whether to appear again based on their first exam results.
West Bengal for example had earlier introduced a semester based Class 12 system conducting board exams in two phases. The model reduced the pressure of a single final exam.
Chhattisgarh implemented a two board exam system for the 2025 session. The first exam was held in March followed by a second exam in June and July. This second attempt allowed students to improve their scores or pass the exam without having to wait for the next academic year.
Karnataka’s three exam board model
Karnataka has taken a really great step in reforming board examinations conducted for school students. The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board introduced up to three board exam attempts for the students per year in the 2023-24 academic session. The Students can choose to appear in one, two, or all three exam windows with the best score counted in their final marksheet.
This system removes the traditional process between regular and supplementary exams treating all attempts equally. Students who are satisfied with their results can move further exams while other students get multiple chances to improve in the examination. Moreover NEP 2020 clearly states that one exam cannot measure a student’s true ability.
Tamil Nadu abolishes Class 11 board exams
Tamil Nadu took a step in October 2025 when the state government announced the abolition of the Plus One public examination from the 2025-26 academic year.
Key changes include:
Return to school based internal assessment for Class 11 examinations
Discontinuation of integrated Class 11 and 12 mark certificates for students.
Only Class 12 marks to appear on final board marksheets of the students.
Class 11 public exams to continue only for repeaters until 2030.
