CBSE Board Exams 2026: Major Reforms for Holistic Student Development

• CBSE introduces a 40:60 evaluation model for 2026 board exams, with 40% weightage for internal assessments and 60% for year-end exams.
• Question design shifts towards competency-based education, with over half of assessments focusing on application, analysis, and case-based questions.
• Mandatory wellness modules, counseling support, and flexible submission windows are integrated to address student mental health and exam stress.
• Vocational and skill-based electives like AI and Financial Literacy gain equal footing, with 50% practical assessment, dismantling traditional hierarchies.
• The reforms aim to foster critical thinking, emotional resilience, and real-world readiness, moving beyond rote memorization to holistic learning.

Why It Matters: CBSE 2026 reforms emphasize holistic development, critical thinking, and reduced exam stress through new evaluation models.