If you are not satisfied with your CBSE Class 10th Phase 1 result 2026, you have the option to appear for the CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam 2026. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam Date Sheet 2026. As per the schedule, the second phase exam of CBSE Class 10th will be conducted from May 15 to June 1, 2026.
Along with the compartment, 10th-class students will get a well-structured opportunity to improve their performance in up to three subjects. i.e. Mathematics (standard/ basic), Science, and languages. This initiative, the CBSE two-phase board examination system, gives you a chance to save your entire academic year. Here in this blog, you will get the complete information on the CBSE class 10th phase 2 exam schedule, who will be eligible, the LOC, and subject-wise exam preparation tips.
CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam 2026 Time Table
The phase 2 exam of class 10th will be conducted from May 15, 2026. The exam includes the compartment, as well as the improvement exam, which will be concluded on June 1, 2026. The following are the dates on which CBSE will conduct the second board exam.
| Exam Date | Subject |
| May 15, 2026 | Mathematics (Standard/ Basic) |
| May 16, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 18, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 19, 2026 | Science |
| May 20, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 21, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 22, 2026 | Social Science |
| May 23, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 25, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 26, 2026 | Language Papers |
| May 28, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 29, 2026 | Compartment Exam |
| May 30, 2026 | Language Papers |
| June 1, 2026 | Compartment Papers |
Eligibility Rules for CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam 2026
CBSE has set strict eligibility criteria to appear for the second board examination for class 10th students. Only students who are under the class 10th phase 2 eligibility set by CBSE will appear in the exam. The following are the criteria you have to meet for the exam.
- For Improvement: Students who passed the main board exam in 2026 but want to improve their marks in up to three subjects, i.e. Maths, Science, Social Science, and Languages.
- For Compartment: Only the students who failed in 1 or 2 subjects in the 2026 exam and are placed in the “compartment” category.
- Prior Year Compartment: Students who placed in the compartment category during the 2025 examinations.
- Sports: Students under the UFM category can also appear. (if permitted)
CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam Rules 2026
Not all students are eligible to appear for the CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Examination 2026. The following are the exam restrictions by CBSE.
- Absentee/ Failed: Students who didn’t appear in at least 3 subjects or failed 3 or more subjects.
- Essential Repeat: students who are in the “Essential Repeat” category.
- No First Exam: students who didn’t appear in the main board exam.
- New Registration: No new registration is accepted (including CWSN).
- Subject Change: except for Mathematics (standard/ basic), no changes in the subjects are permitted.
What is the LOC (List of Candidates) & Submission Schedule 2026?
LOC is an official term for List of Candidates submitted by schools to CBSE containing the details of students (name, subjects, date of birth, etc.) who are eligible to appear in the Class X phase 2 board examinations, for this exam. Means if you wish to appear for the second board exam, either for compartment or improvement, you need to register for the exam with the specific fees. The school authority submits the LOC on their behalf through the official CBSE Portal. The LOC includes the details of the subjects’ students’ wishes to appear in the exam and the examination fee. The LOC Submission Schedule by CBSE for Class 10th is as follows.
Phase 1:
- LOC submission window: April 16 to 20, 2026.
- Fee Payment Deadline: April 20, 2026.
Phase 2:
- LOC submission window: April 21 to 22, 2026.
- Fee Payment Deadline: April 22, 2026.
Phase 3: (LOC submission with Late Fee)
- LOC submission Window: 7 days
Subject-Wise Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam 2026
If you are appearing in the CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam 2026, then you must study according to the given study plan. This is the last chance to improve your marks as well as clear the exam that you failed. So, take it seriously and give your best as you can. Follow the preparation guidelines as mentioned below for the best results.
Mathematics (Standard/ Basic)
As you have seen in the 2026 CBSE Mathematics Board Paper, section A was 25% of the total paper, which included 20 marks. The paper was a competency-based question. However, the standard was balanced while the basic was considered student-friendly. Now, for the compartment or improvement exam, you need to focus on the following:
- Focus on the Scoring chapter,
- Memorise all formulas,
- Target those questions that give you 40 marks even with low internal marks.
Science:
The Science paper of CBSE Class 10th was strongly focused on NCERT concepts, competency-based questions, and practical applications. Now you have to focus on where you lost the marks. You can use the following strategies to enhance your marks in the compartment exam.
- Biology: The questions come directly from the NCERT books (30 Marks).
- Chemistry: Strong focus on reactions, activities, and direct questions. (25 marks).
- Physics: focus on conceptual, numerical, and application-based questions (25 marks).
Social Science:
The Social Science board paper of CBSE Class 10th followed the NCERT curriculum, featuring a balanced mix of direct, conceptual and map-based questions. Follow the points below to improve your marks in the exam.
- NCERT is crucial as 85-90% questions are based on NCERT books.
- Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points for clarity.
- For higher marks in the exam paper, strong practice with a map.
- The key focus areas are nationalism in India, resources and development, federalism, and globalisation.
Language Paper: (English)
The language paper of the CBSE Class 10th phase 1 exam was easy and scoring, with a focus on competency-based questions, requiring conceptual understanding over rote memorisation. Now you have to focus on the following key areas to improve your marks.
- Section A: Reading Skills (20 marks): It is the easiest section, practice with at least 5 passages and get the full marks.
- Section B: Grammar & Writing Skills (20 Marks): Strong focus on grammar like tenses, modals, reported speech, and editing/ omission. In the writing, memorise the correct format because it alone gives you 2-3 marks.
- Section C: Literature (40 marks): focus on analytical thinking and theme interpretation rather than direct quotes. Previously, the questions were based on the NCERT books “First Flight” and “Footprints Without Feet”.
Admit Card for CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam 2026
CBSE will release the CBSE Phase 2 Admit Card 2026 on its website. The admit card will be available 1 week before the exam date. The admit card link accessible for download will be available at the CBSE Pariksha Sangam Portal.
If you are a regular student, you have to visit the respective school department to collect the admit card, while private students can directly download the admit card from the official portal. The admit card will be essential to the examination centre. All the details of the examination will clearly be mentioned on the admit card page.
Conclusion
CBSE has released the date sheet for the Class 10th Phase 2 examinations for the year 2026. Students who have applied to appear for this examination, whether for a compartment or for improvement purposes, should take note of the examination dates. The admit card for this specific examination will be issued one week prior to the date of the exam.
You must now ensure that your preparation remains robust and approach the examination with the clear objective of passing it, as this represents your final opportunity to prove yourself and save your entire academic year without any interruptions. We extend our very best wishes to all students appearing for the Class 10th phase 2 examinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first board exam (phase 1) is compulsory for all students, while the second board examination (phase 2) is optional and serves as an opportunity for students to save the same academic session by appearing in either the improvement exam or the compartment exam.
For the compartment, you can appear if you failed to pass in 1 or 2 subjects in the main board exam result. The improvement exam is for those who passed class 10th and want to improve their marks in up to three subjects.
CBSE allows only the students to improve their marks in up to three subjects from Science, Maths, Social Science, and language.
CBSE Phase 2 exam for class 10th will start on May 15, 2026 and will conclude on June 1, 2026, with a compartment paper.
No, students with the “ER” category will not be eligible for the CBSE Class 10th Phase 2 Exam 2026.
