CBSE Opens Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 LOC Window Today; Registration Closes on April 22

The Clock is Ticking: CBSE Opens LOC Portal for Second Board Attempt

Following the declaration of the main Class 10 results yesterday, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially activated the portal for submitting the List of Candidates (LOC) for the Second Board Examination 2026 today, April 16. This marks a historic shift under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, allowing students to improve their performance within the same academic cycle.

The LOC process is strictly managed by school authorities. Principals must verify eligibility and ensure that all desirous students are registered correctly, as no data corrections will be permitted after this window closes. The board has stressed that the timeline is non-negotiable and the system will automatically shut down at 11:59:59 PM on the final day.

Important Registration & Fee Dates

Who Can Apply? Eligibility Explained

The Second Board Exam is designed as an optional opportunity for specific groups of students. To be eligible for the May attempt, a student must meet one of the following criteria:

• Improvement Seekers: Students who passed Class 10 but wish to better their scores in up to three subjects (limited to Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages).
• Compartment Candidates: Students placed in the "Compartment" category in the 2026 Main Exam results.
• Missed Exams: Candidates who missed the first mandatory board exam due to valid reasons (like sports events authorized by the board).
• Previous Compartments: Students from the 2025 compartment batch who are on their third and final chance.

Note: Students placed in the "Essential Repeat" (ER) category or those who missed three or more subjects in the first phase are generally not eligible for this second attempt.

Critical Rules for the Second Attempt

The CBSE has introduced specific flexibility for this second exam, though most rules remain rigid. Students are permitted to change their Mathematics level—switching from Mathematics Standard to Mathematics Basic or vice-versa—during this registration. However, no changes are allowed for any other subjects.

The examinations will be held from May 15 to June 1, 2026, following the exact same syllabus and pattern as the main February/March exam. Importantly, if a student registers for the second exam but fails to appear, the result from their first main examination will be treated as final.

Conclusion

With only five days for the normal fee window, students and parents must coordinate with school administrations immediately. Ensure all fees are paid via digital means, as the board will not accept offline payments. This "Second Main Exam" is a powerful tool to ensure one difficult testing day doesn't define your entire academic future.