If you ever think of who sets the norms in Indian Education, it is the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), a national level educational board in India that conducts examinations for classes 10 and 12. This board suggests the curriculum for the affiliated schools so that they stay updated with the current changes and technology. It is a government run board and comes under the Government of India. CBSE keeps updating, and in all the right ways.
This year’s board exams brought more than just a routine schedule. They signaled a larger shift in the way we look at school assessments in India. There’s attention to reducing the syllabus, adding competency based questions, a bigger role for internal assessments, mandatory 75% attendance, and a flexible two-board system on the horizon, CBSE seems ready to move from “marks-only” thinking to more holistic, student-first learning.
If you are a parent, teacher, or school leader, looking for a complete understanding of what is the CBSE Board Exam 2025 Update and how it affects the coming years, consider this to be the ultimate guide.
Unlike earlier years, exams in this year weren't just about students walking into exam halls and writing long, theory-heavy papers. The CBSE Board exam update 2025 introduces a better structure of curriculum, reduced content load for students, and more emphasis on internal assessments, letting the classroom activities have importance so that kids pay attention there too.
Many schools now could actually slow down, revisit important topics, and encourage meaningful discussions in class. The reduced syllabus gave room for reflection and revision, two things that are often ignored in our rush to “complete the syllabus.”
This change also aligned well with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes quality over quantity, and understanding over memorization.
For years, board exams were seen as the only thing that mattered. But this year, CBSE changed that narrative. This shift is significant. It means classroom engagement, regular assignments, project work, and oral assessments now play a serious role in shaping a student’s final performance.
And that’s the direction CBSE seems to be going in, focusing on real comprehension and application.
Another major change came in the structure of Class 10 board papers encouraging students to do more than just study definitions and write long theoretical essays. The MCQs tests clarity of concept. The competency questions look at how students can apply knowledge in real-world contexts. And the descriptive section ensured that writing and expression were still valued.
This new structure challenged students in the right way. It now gives calculated and equal attention to speed, accuracy, reasoning, and depth where students with their speciality in analytical, expressive, or practical get a place for a fair evaluation of their abilities.
If there’s one update that truly shifts the exam landscape, it’s this:
CBSE will now conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year, starting from the 2025–26 academic session.
Here’s how it will work:
First attempt: Expected between mid-February to early March
Second attempt: Likely to be conducted around early to mid-May
Best score will be retained: If a student appears for both, only their higher score will be considered. However, the first exam attempt is compulsory, and second is optional for students who wish to try again.
This bold decision aims to reduce the pressure among students that one final exam decides everything for them. This way students get to understand that board exams are ways to learn and not a make-or-break moment that they have to excel in this, come what may.
Let’s say a student isn’t satisfied with how they performed in February. They now have a chance to prepare better and reappear in May. There’s no penalty, no stress of “failing,” and no judgment. Just a system that gives students a fair second shot.
Every update made by CBSE this year ties back to the larger vision of the National Education Policy 2020.
NEP doesn’t just focus on curriculum. It focuses on the entire experience of learning, what children learn, how they’re assessed, how schools teach, and what values the system promotes.
Competency-based papers match NEP’s call for application-oriented education.
Two exam attempts per year reduce high-stakes anxiety.
Increased internal assessment weightage promotes continuous learning.
Syllabus reduction allows for deeper exploration of fewer topics.
In many ways, CBSE is not just responding to NEP, it is actively implementing it in real, visible ways.
If your child is in Class 9 or entering Class 10 in the upcoming academic year, here’s how you can be better prepared:
Be ready for both board attempts: The first exam is still the main one, but treat the second as an improvement opportunity, not a backup plan.
Take internal assessments seriously: Regular work in school now directly contributes to the final marks. Teach your child the importance of putting consistent efforts throughout the year.
Track all official updates: Follow CBSE’s website (cbse.gov.in) for authentic and realtime information.
Use resources that support real learning: Whether it’s books, learning kits, or digital tools, choose materials wisely that build understanding, not just memory.
At Mittsure, this change excites us. Because we’ve always believed that real education is about confidence, clarity, and curiosity, not just marks.
If you’re a school or parent looking for best CBSE books, especially for foundational years, our curated kits like LumaLearn and ThinkTrail, digital solutions, and NEP-ready products are available on MittStore. They’re built to support exactly the kind of learning that today’s CBSE reforms are making space for.
Let’s keep working together to make learning better for every child, every year.
