Sipu Jha
The Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) has announced a significant change in its board examination system, beginning from the 2026‑27 academic session. According to Education Minister Madan Dilawar, the board will now conduct board exams twice a year for both Class 10 and Class 12 students. While the first exam will remain compulsory, the second session will be optional, allowing students to improve their marks in up to three subjects.Both exams will cover the entire syllabus, and the best performance among the two attempts will be considered for final results. This initiative aims to reduce exam stress, offer students greater flexibility, and encourage continuous learning, marking a major shift in Rajasthan’s education policy.
Two exam sessions: How it will work
As per a few media reports, first session for RBSE exams is scheduled for February-March, while the second session will be held in May-June. All students must appear for the first exam, while the optional second exam will allow students to focus on subjects where they underperformed. The board has clarified that both sessions will follow the same syllabus and evaluation pattern. For students who take the optional exam, the better of the two results will be used in the final score.
Learning from CBSE
The Rajasthan Board’s move to hold board exams twice a year is similar to the dual exam system recently introduced by CBSE. Under CBSE’s scheme, students have the opportunity to appear for two sessions of board exams, with the best of the two scores being considered for final results. This system has been designed to reduce exam-related stress, give students a second chance to improve scores, and encourage consistent preparation throughout the year. By adopting a similar approach, RBSE aims to provide students with greater flexibility while aligning with national trends in board exam reforms.
Challenges and considerations
While the twice-a-year exam system offers many benefits, it also brings several challenges that students, teachers, and the board will need to navigate:
- Administrative load: Conducting two full board exams will require extra resources, scheduling, and examiner availability.
- Equity issues: Students from under-resourced schools may struggle to leverage the second chance effectively.
- Syllabus coverage: Students must remain prepared for the full syllabus in both exams, which may require enhanced teaching strategies.
- Optional exam awareness: Ensuring students understand how to strategically use the second session will be key.
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