CBSE Board Exams 2026: Special provisions for Class 10th, 12th students appearing for sports events, Olympiads

Over the years, CBSE has aligned with the government’s push to encourage sports and co-curricular excellence. It has already mainstreamed Health and Physical Education, and now provides structured exam flexibility to those engaged in competitive activities. CBSE first introduced the special exam provision for sports students in 2018, and later extended the same benefit to students participating in international Olympiads in 2020.

CBSE said these measures help students “stay fit and healthy while also teaching values like discipline, teamwork, and hard work.”

For Class 10, under the new two-exam policy – first in February 2026, second in May 2026, sports students can only take special exams during the second cycle in May. No separate examination will be held after the first cycle. Students must fill the LOC (List of Candidates) for the main exam as usual. In case of compartment students, exams will be conducted in February or March 2026.

For Class 12, policy remains unchanged. If the main Board examination clashes with a recognised event, CBSE will re-conduct the exam after the main exam cycle ends.

CBSE has reiterated that only events recognised by SAI, BCCI, and HBCSE will be considered. Exemptions are not applicable for training camps, selection camps, internal assessments, or project work. No special exam will be held for individual subjects outside the announced schedule. Attendance exemptions cannot exceed Board limits. All applications must be backed by a Certificate of Participation issued by nodal officers of SAI, BCCI and Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE).

CBSE 2026 Board Exams: Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs)

As per CBSE’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), students seeking special exam provisions must submit a request through their schools, accompanied by school recommendations and a certificate of participation from SAI, BCCI, or HBCSE. Schools are required to forward these documents to the concerned CBSE Regional Office by December 15 of the academic year.

The regional office will then communicate approvals to the schools by December 30. Once approved, the rescheduled examinations will be conducted by CBSE within 15 days after the completion of the main Board examinations of the concerned year.

CBSE Class 10, 12: Restrictions on special exams

– Not available for supplementary exams.
– Not available for practicals or projects (as schools can reschedule these internally).
– No extensions in attendance rules.
– Schools must submit recommendations carefully; false claims will lead to cancellation.

CBSE’s guidelines for schools

– Clearly inform students, parents, and teachers about these provisions.
– Submit internal assessment marks on time.
– Facilitate LOC submission and certification process.
– Ensure fair internal evaluation for sports students.

“Head of the schools/responsible organisations will forward recommendations/issue certificate of participation only for those students strictly falling within the purview of these instructions/SOPs,” the Board said.