CBSE Board Class 10 Second Phase Exam 2026
CBSE Board Class 10 Second Phase Exam 2026 has been scheduled from May 15 to June 1, 2026 . The board declared the results of the first main exam on April 15, 2026 , and only students who appeared in that exam are eligible for this second phase.
First published: Apr 17, 2026 13:01 IST . Last updated: Apr 17, 2026 13:07 IST .
Quick Snapshot
One-line summary: Exam window May 15–June 1, 2026 ; LOC submission windows Apr 16 (12:00)–Apr 20 (24:00) and Apr 21–Apr 22 (24:00) with a ₹2,000 late fee per subject . The board released a detailed date sheet covering main and compartment papers.
Key facts at a glance:
- Exam window: May 15 to June 1, 2026 (18 days)
- Eligibility: Only students who appeared in the first CBSE Class 10 exam
- LOC (List of Candidates) submission: Apr 16 noon–Apr 20 midnight (actual fee)
- Late LOC window: Apr 21–Apr 22 midnight (late fee applies)
- Normal fee per subject (India): ₹320 ; Nepal: ₹1,100 ; Other countries: ₹2,200
- Late fee: ₹2,000 extra per subject for submissions in the late window
Who is eligible for the CBSE Board Class 10 Second Phase Exam 2026?
Only students who actually appeared in the first CBSE Class 10 exam are eligible for the second phase exam. That eligibility rule comes directly from the board's published schedule.
This second phase is not the same as a supplementary exam. The board treats this as a separate opportunity for students who sat the main exam and want to improve marks or take another shot at specific papers.
If you have questions about private candidature, deregistration or exceptional cases, check the official CBSE circular or your school notice. The board's published schedule does not clarify every edge case, so contact your school or the board for confirmation.
Complete Important Dates and Deadlines for CBSE Board Class 10 Second Phase Exam 2026
The table below lists all the official dates you must note. Times are those published by the board.
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| First main exam results declared | Apr 15, 2026 |
| LOC submission and payment (actual fee) opens | Apr 16, 2026 12:00 noon |
| LOC submission and payment (actual fee) closes | Apr 20, 2026 24:00 (midnight) |
| LOC submission and payment (with late fee) | Apr 21, 2026 to Apr 22, 2026 24:00 |
| Second phase exams start | May 15, 2026 |
| Second phase exams end | June 1, 2026 |
| Article first published | Apr 17, 2026 13:01 IST |
| Article last updated | Apr 17, 2026 13:07 IST |
Note the strict timings. If your school or you are filing the LOC, plan payment and submission well before the closing hour.
Detailed Date Sheet Overview (Subject-wise highlights)
CBSE's detailed date sheet lists main subject dates and separate slots for compartment papers. Below are the major subject highlights taken from the published schedule.
| Date | Subject / Notes |
|---|---|
| May 15, 2026 (Fri) | Mathematics (Standard / Basic) |
| May 16, 2026 (Sat) | Compartment subjects |
| May 18, 2026 (Mon) | Compartment subjects |
| May 19, 2026 (Tue) | Science |
| May 20, 2026 (Wed) | Compartment subjects |
| May 21, 2026 (Thu) | Compartment subjects |
| May 22, 2026 (Fri) | Social Science |
| May 23, 2026 (Sat) | Compartment subjects |
| May 25, 2026 (Mon) | Compartment subjects |
| May 26, 2026 (Tue) | Language paper |
| May 28, 2026 (Thu) | Compartment subjects |
| May 29, 2026 (Fri) | Compartment subjects |
| May 30, 2026 (Sat) | Language paper |
| June 1, 2026 (Mon) | Compartment subjects |
How to read the date sheet:
- Dates marked as "Compartment subjects" mean slots reserved for papers that do not fall under the main-subject schedule. Check the detailed circular or your school notice for the exact subject mapping.
- Languages have two slots listed: May 26 and May 30 . Confirm your specific language paper date from the detailed date sheet issued by the board.
Practical tip: Use the date sheet to create a backward study plan. Put your heaviest subject early in the calendar if possible, and schedule full-length mocks at least two weeks before the exam date.
Fees, Payment Windows and Late Fee Rules
CBSE has fixed per-subject fees and a strict late-fee policy for LOC submissions. Pay attention — the late fee is high compared with the normal per-subject charge.
| Category | Normal fee (per subject) | With late fee (per subject) |
|---|---|---|
| India | ₹320 | ₹320 + ₹2,000 |
| Nepal | ₹1,100 | ₹1,100 + ₹2,000 |
| Other countries | ₹2,200 | ₹2,200 + ₹2,000 |
The extra ₹2,000 per subject applies only if LOC and payment are submitted during Apr 21–Apr 22, 2026 . The normal fee window is Apr 16 (12:00)–Apr 20 (24:00) .
Example calculations:
- If you register for 2 subjects from India during the actual window, payable = 2 × ₹320 = ₹640 .
- If you register for 2 subjects during the late window, payable = 2 × (₹320 + ₹2,000) = ₹4,640 .
Pay carefully. Schools usually collect this fee and submit the LOC; make sure you get a receipt or confirmation of payment showing the transaction details.
Step-by-Step LOC Submission & Payment Checklist for Schools and Students
The board has published the LOC submission windows and fees. The detailed online form link is in official circulars — check the CBSE website or your school notice for the exact portal.
Checklist before you (or your school) start LOC submission:
- Confirm you appeared in the first CBSE Class 10 exam — eligibility is mandatory.
- Prepare candidate details: name, roll number, date of birth as per CBSE records.
- List the subjects you want to appear for in phase 2 (main or compartment as applicable).
- Make sure you know the correct fee per subject for your location (India, Nepal, other).
- Keep an authorized payment method ready (school/board portal instructions will specify accepted modes).
- Obtain and save the payment confirmation/receipt and LOC submission PDF or acknowledgement.
If you miss the actual window (Apr 16–20) you can still submit during Apr 21–22 with the late fee. The board allows this, but the ₹2,000 extra per subject makes it expensive.
If your school is filing the LOC on your behalf, follow these steps:
- Confirm the school will submit the LOC and collect fees from you or your parents.
- Provide accurate personal and subject details to the school office well before the deadline.
- Ask for a payment receipt and a copy of the LOC acknowledgement once submitted.
If you are a private candidate, contact your school or the regional CBSE office for the correct submission route. The published schedule does not list a separate private-student workflow.
Common FAQs and Quick Answers
When will CBSE Class 10 second phase exams be held?
From May 15 to June 1, 2026 .
Who is eligible for phase 2 exams?
Only students who appeared in the first CBSE Class 10 exam.
What are the LOC submission dates?
Actual fee window: Apr 16 (12:00) to Apr 20 (24:00) . Late window (with extra fee): Apr 21 to Apr 22 (24:00) .
What is the normal fee per subject in India?
₹320 per subject in India.
Is there a late fee?
Yes. An additional ₹2,000 per subject applies to submissions during the late window.
What if I miss both windows?
The board's published schedule does not offer further extensions. Contact your school or the regional CBSE office immediately for guidance.
Gaps to Watch For — What CBSE Has Not Published (and how to handle them)
CBSE's schedule gives dates, LOC windows and fees, but several operational details are not in the published note. These gaps matter to you.
Missing items from the board's public schedule:
- Direct URL/link for the online LOC application form is not printed in the schedule we have.
- Admit card download process and release date for phase 2 admit cards.
- Exact subject-wise exam timings and paper duration for each subject.
- Exam centre or city allotment process for phase 2.
- Step-by-step registration instructions specifically for schools and private candidates.
- Clear policy for private/deregistered students or special categories.
- Any syllabus or blueprint changes for phase 2 compared with the main exam.
- Result date for second phase exams.
- Refund and cancellation policy for LOC fees.
- Dedicated helpline number in the published brief.
What you should do now:
- Check the official CBSE website and your school noticeboard regularly for circulars that fill these gaps.
- Ask your school administration for the exact LOC link, admit-card process and submission receipt.
- If you are a private candidate, reach out to the regional CBSE office or your study centre for precise steps.
- Keep scanned copies of identity documents and payment proofs ready in case you need to produce them later.
Preparation Timeline: Two-Month Plan Leading to Your Exam Date
You have a short, focused window between LOC deadlines and exam dates. Use it smartly.
Week-by-week milestones (8 weeks out to the first exam date):
- Weeks 1–2: Finalise subjects to reappear in and map the exact dates on your calendar. Start topic-wise revision for the subject scheduled earliest (Mathematics on May 15 ). Focus on NCERT questions and board-style problems.
- Weeks 3–4: Increase practice with full-length question papers. Time yourself and simulate exam conditions once a week.
- Weeks 5–6: Identify weak chapters and revise them intensively. Do short daily tests for formulas and definitions.
- Week 7 (two weeks before the first exam): Start a strict timetable covering three hours of focused revision daily, plus one timed full paper on weekends.
- Week 8 (final week): Light revision, formula sheets, quick notes and short mocks. Rest adequately the day before each paper.
Last two weeks checklist:
- Keep your stationery and admit card documents ready.
- Make a one-page quick revision sheet for each subject.
- Practice at least two previous-year question papers per subject.
- Sleep well. Avoid last-minute cramming that increases anxiety.
What If You Want to Improve Marks — Practical Tips
Pick subjects strategically. Choose papers where small improvements can give a big jump in marks.
Study techniques for maximum score gain fast:
- Solve past 5 years of CBSE board questions and mark repeating questions.
- Focus on paper presentation: headings, subheadings, neat steps in mathematics, and clear diagrams in science.
- Learn marking scheme patterns — examiners reward clarity and stepwise answers.
- Prioritise long-answer questions that carry more marks.
Administrative tips:
- Double-check that your LOC lists the correct subjects and spellings.
- Ensure fee payment is acknowledged; retain receipts and screenshots.
- If your school is submitting the LOC, get the submission acknowledgement in writing.
Resources and Next Steps
Where to check for official documents:
- Visit the CBSE official website for the final LOC portal link, detailed date sheet PDF, and any circulars about admit cards.
- Keep an eye on official school circulars — many schools upload LOC acknowledgements and admit-card instructions.
Template checklist to carry to the school office or use when filling the form:
- Candidate name (as per CBSE record)
- Roll number and school code
- Date of birth
- Subject codes for phase 2 papers
- Payment receipt / transaction ID
- Contact phone/email for follow-up
Suggested mock test and revision resources:
- CBSE sample papers and previous-year board papers
- NCERT textbooks and exemplar problems for core concepts
- One timed full-length paper per subject each week during the last month
Final Word
The CBSE Board Class 10 Second Phase Exam 2026 is a clear chance to improve scores for students who appeared in the first exam. Note the LOC windows — Apr 16 (12:00)–Apr 20 (24:00) for normal fee and Apr 21–22 (24:00) with a ₹2,000 late fee per subject.
Plan your submission and revision now. Confirm details with your school and the official CBSE notifications so you don’t miss any deadlines.
FAQs
- When will CBSE Class 10 second phase exams be held?
-
From May 15 to June 1, 2026 .
-
Who is eligible for phase 2 exams?
-
Only students who appeared in the first CBSE Class 10 exam.
-
What are LOC submission dates and timings?
-
Actual fee window: Apr 16, 2026 12:00–Apr 20, 2026 24:00 . Late window: Apr 21–Apr 22, 2026 24:00 .
-
What is the normal fee per subject in India?
-
₹320 per subject .
-
Is there a late fee and how much is it?
-
Yes. An extra ₹2,000 per subject applies for submissions in the late window.
-
Which date is Mathematics scheduled on?
-
Mathematics is scheduled on May 15, 2026 .
-
When is the Science paper in phase 2?
-
Science is scheduled on May 19, 2026 .
-
Where can I get the official date sheet and LOC link?
- The official CBSE website and your school circulars will carry the detailed date sheet and the LOC submission link. Contact your school if the board notice is unclear.