CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Exam 2026: Full Date Sheet, Fees & Eligibility Explained

CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Exam 2026 runs from May 15 to June 1, 2026. Students who appeared in the first board exam can re-attempt up to three subjects to improve their scores. The fee is ₹320 per subject for Indian students. LOC submission deadline is April 22, 2026.

Just got your CBSE Class 10 Result 2026 and are not satisfied with your score? Or are you in the compartment category, looking for a second shot? Good news, CBSE has officially launched a Phase 2 Board Exam that gives you a real, structured second chance without losing a year. Here is everything you need to know before the April 22 LOC deadline passes.

What is the CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Exam 2026?

The CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Exam 2026 is a formally recognised second board examination that allows Class 10 students to re-appear in up to three subjects to improve their scores all within the same academic year.

The Central Board of Secondary Education officially announced this two-phase board examination system on June 25, 2025. It was introduced as a direct response to growing exam anxiety among students and the need to give learners a fair, low-pressure pathway to improve their academic records without the social and psychological cost of repeating an entire year. This initiative is directly aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes a flexible and student-friendly assessment framework.

One thing must be absolutely clear from the start: this is not a supplementary exam and not a traditional compartment exam. The CBSE Phase 2 Exam is a formally structured second sitting of the board examination, carrying equal weight and legitimacy as the first.

CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Full Date Sheet 2026

The Phase 2 board exam begins on May 15, 2026, and concludes on June 1, 2026. Below is the subject-wise schedule issued by CBSE.

• May 15, 2026 (Friday) — Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic (Paper Code: 041 / 241)
• May 16, 2026 (Saturday) — Compartment Exams
• May 18, 2026 (Monday) — Compartment Exams
• May 19, 2026 (Tuesday) — Science (Paper Code: 086)
• May 20, 2026 (Wednesday) — Compartment Exams
• May 21, 2026 (Thursday) — Compartment Exams
• May 22, 2026 (Friday) — Social Science (Paper Code: 087)
• May 23, 2026 (Saturday) — Compartment Exams
• May 25, 2026 (Monday) — Compartment Exams
• May 26, 2026 (Tuesday) — Language Papers
• May 28, 2026 (Thursday) — Compartment Exams
• May 29, 2026 (Friday) — Compartment Exams
• May 30, 2026 (Saturday) — Language Papers
• June 1, 2026 (Monday) — Compartment Exams

Students appearing for improvement in Mathematics, Science, or Social Science should pay special attention to May 15, May 19, and May 22, respectively, as these are the three primary core subject dates. The exam pattern for Phase 2 is identical to Phase 1 — same syllabus, same structure, same marking scheme.

CBSE Phase 2 Exam 2026 Eligibility — Who Can Apply?

Eligibility for the Phase 2 exam is very specific. Students and parents must go through these conditions carefully before submitting the LOC.

Students who ARE eligible:

Students who appeared in the first board examination and wish to improve their marks in up to three subjects are eligible. Students placed in the compartment category after the first exam are also eligible. Students appearing for their first or third chance compartment exam can apply. Students who passed Class 10 using a sixth subject replacement and now wish to improve their main subject scores are covered. Students under the Unfair Means (UFM) Category 1, if separately deemed eligible by CBSE, can also appear. Sports quota students who have prior written approval from CBSE are permitted to apply.

Students who are NOT eligible:

Students who were absent in three or more subjects in the first board examination are not eligible. Students placed under the Essential Repeat (ER) category are also excluded. Students who wish to change their subject entirely — except in specific, pre-approved, exceptional cases by CBSE — cannot appear in Phase 2.

Two additional rules are very important. First, no corrections to student details will be accepted after the LOC is submitted, so accuracy at the time of form submission is absolutely critical. Second, facilities for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) will continue only for students already registered under CWSN in the first examination. New CWSN registrations are not accepted at the Phase 2 stage.

There is also a special flexibility introduced for Mathematics. Students who appeared for Standard Mathematics in the first exam may choose to appear for Basic Mathematics in Phase 2, and students who appeared for Basic Mathematics may switch to Standard Mathematics. This flexibility helps students align the exam with their actual strengths and future academic plans.

CBSE Phase 2 Exam Fee 2026 — Complete Breakdown

The exam fee is charged per subject and varies depending on the country where the student's school is located. Here are the standard fee amounts.

• For schools in India, the fee is ₹320 per subject. If a student opts for all three subjects, the total comes to ₹960.
• For schools in Nepal, the fee is ₹1,100 per subject, amounting to ₹3,300 for three subjects.
• For schools in other countries, the fee is ₹2,200 per subject, totalling ₹6,600 for three subjects.

If the LOC is submitted after the official deadline, a late fee of ₹2,000 per candidate is charged in addition to the standard per-subject fees. This late fee applies equally across all geographies — India, Nepal, and international.

Payment for Indian students can be made online via Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, or Net Banking. Students in Nepal and other countries can pay using a debit card, Credit Card, or SWIFT bank transfer.

One important note: there is a minor discrepancy in some official CBSE communications, with some documents quoting ₹300 per subject and others quoting ₹320. Students should always verify the exact amount on the official CBSE portal at cbse.gov.in at the time of payment, since the portal figure is the binding one.

What is LOC Submission and How Does It Work?

LOC stands for List of Candidates. It is the official mechanism through which schools register their students for the Phase 2 board exam. CBSE has made the LOC submission compulsory — no student can appear in the Phase 2 exam unless their school completes the LOC process on their behalf. Private candidates have a separate application route.

Because the Phase 2 system is being introduced for the very first time at the Class 10 level, CBSE is prioritising smooth data collection. The board specifically wants two key pieces of data from each school: the total number of students opting for Phase 2, and the number of subjects each student is choosing for improvement.

The LOC submission and exam fee payment window opened on April 16, 2026. The deadline is April 22, 2026. After this date, late LOC submissions attract a ₹2,000 per candidate late fee. Schools are expected to complete the submission process promptly after the Class 10 main exam results were declared on April 15, 2026.

Students placed in the compartment category must resubmit their LOC afresh — their earlier registration does not carry over automatically.

Here is the step-by-step process schools follow:

Step 1: The school logs into the official CBSE portal at cbse.gov.in using their authorised school credentials.

Step 2: Navigate to the LOC submission section for Class 10 Phase 2 Board Exam 2026.

Step 3: Enter the details of each student opting for Phase 2, including the subjects they wish to improve.

Step 4: Review all student details carefully before final submission, as no corrections are accepted afterwards. 

Step 5: Complete the fee payment online using the prescribed payment methods.

Step 6: Download and save the LOC submission confirmation receipt for school records.

Official CBSE Guidelines for School Principals

CBSE has issued a specific set of responsibilities to school principals to ensure the Phase 2 system operates smoothly and without confusion. These guidelines are important for students and parents to be aware of, because the responsibility of registration rests entirely with the school.

Principals must clearly communicate eligibility rules and exam guidelines to both students and parents before the LOC window opens. They are also required to advise students to opt for Phase 2 only when there is a genuine need to improve marks, not as a default exercise or out of pressure from parents. Principals must walk students and parents through the entire LOC submission timeline and the fee payment process in detail. Additionally, schools are required to inform students that exam centres for Phase 2 may be limited in number and are not guaranteed to be close to the student's home or school location.

If a parent or student is unsure about any step, the first point of contact should always be the school principal or the school's academic coordinator.

Can Internal Assessment Marks Be Improved in Phase 2?

No, absolutely not. This is one of the most common misconceptions about the Phase 2 exam, and CBSE has addressed it clearly. Internal assessment marks from the first examination cannot be altered, reviewed, or improved through Phase 2. Only the theory examination component can be re-attempted.

This means that practical scores, project marks, periodic test scores, and any other internal assessment components recorded during the academic year are final and fixed, regardless of how the student performs in the Phase 2 theory paper. Students who are primarily disappointed with their practical or internal marks should be made aware of this limitation before opting for Phase 2, since it will not address their specific concern.

Should You Appear for CBSE Phase 2? A Quick Decision Guide

This is the most important question every student must think through carefully before asking their school to submit the LOC.

You should appear for Phase 2 if you scored lower than expected in Maths, Science, or Social Science and have the time and willingness to prepare again over the next few weeks. You should also appear if you are in the compartment category and need to clear a subject to move forward. If you are targeting competitive admission cutoffs for Class 11 in a specific stream or school, and a few extra marks could make a difference, Phase 2 is worth considering.

You should NOT appear for Phase 2 just because others are doing it or because of parental pressure. If you are already satisfied with your scores and do not have a concrete reason to reappear, the stress of preparing for another board exam in a short window may not be worth it. CBSE itself has directed school principals to advise students to opt for Phase 2 only when there is a genuine need.

Also, keep in mind that the Phase 2 result will replace your Phase 1 subject score for that particular paper. This works in your favour if you score higher — but if you score lower, the system will typically consider the better of the two scores, so check the latest CBSE guidelines on score consideration at the time of result.

Read More: CBSE Compartment Exam 2026: Rules, Dates & Eligibility

What Happens After the Phase 2 Exam? Result, Certificates & Admissions

Once the Phase 2 examinations conclude after June 1, 2026, CBSE will process results and publish them on the official websites cbse.gov.in and cbseresults.nic.in. Students can check their scores using their roll number and school details.

A merit certificate will be issued to eligible students after the Phase 2 results are declared. Students who were not able to qualify in the first board exam are allowed to provisionally take admission in Class 11, with the final confirmation of admission based on their Phase 2 result. This is an important provision that ensures students do not lose the academic year while waiting for the second exam outcome.

CBSE advises all students to download and save a copy of their Phase 2 results immediately upon declaration. This document will be required for admissions, verification processes, and institutional records going forward.

Key Dates at a Glance

LOC Submission Opens: April 16, 2026

LOC Submission Deadline (without late fee): April 22, 2026

Phase 2 Exam Starts: May 15, 2026

• Mathematics: May 15, 2026
• Science: May 19, 2026
• Social Science: May 22, 2026
• Languages: May 26 and May 30, 2026 

Phase 2 Exam Ends: June 1, 2026

The CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 Exam 2026 is genuinely one of the most student-friendly policy changes Indian school education has seen in a long time. Used wisely, it can open doors to better scores, stronger admissions, and a healthier relationship with exam outcomes.