CBSE Clarifies Fee Rules and LOC Process for Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a strict directive to its affiliated schools regarding the registration process for the Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026. The board has clearly instructed schools not to collect any additional or unauthorized fees from students during the submission of the List of Candidates (LOC), following reports of irregular practices in some institutions.
According to the official notification, CBSE emphasized that collecting extra charges such as additional tuition fees or any other hidden costs during the LOC submission process is “strictly against CBSE rules.” The board clarified that schools are permitted to collect only the prescribed examination fee, and any violation of these guidelines will invite strict action. This move aims to ensure transparency and protect students and parents from unnecessary financial burden.
The Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026, scheduled to be held in May, has been introduced as part of CBSE’s efforts to provide greater academic flexibility. The initiative allows students to reappear in up to three subjects to improve their performance, offering a valuable second opportunity to achieve better results.
To streamline the registration process, CBSE has outlined a structured three-phase system for the submission of the LOC. In the first phase, schools are required to submit only the LOC details of students without collecting any examination fee. This initial step is designed to help the board estimate the number of candidates likely to appear for the second examination.
The second and third phases allow students to finalise their participation. During these stages, candidates can make necessary changes, including adding, modifying, or dropping subjects. It is only at this point that the prescribed examination fee is to be paid to complete the registration process. The entire LOC submission procedure will be managed through the respective schools from which students appeared for their main board examinations.
CBSE has also clarified an important aspect regarding student participation. If a student registers for the second board examination but later chooses not to appear, their final result will be declared based on their performance in the main examination. This ensures that students do not face any academic disadvantage if they opt out after registration.
In addition to these updates, CBSE has released a special date sheet for Class 12 student athletes, further reflecting its focus on flexibility and inclusivity within the examination system.
With these clear guidelines, CBSE aims to maintain fairness, streamline the examination process, and reinforce accountability among affiliated schools, while providing students with improved opportunities to enhance their academic performance.
