📅 Last updated: May 10, 2026
👤 SkillYog Team
🏷 CBSE Class 10
📖 Compartment / Phase 2
⚠️ Big change you need to know in 2026
If you got "compartment" in your Phase 1 result, there is no separate July compartment exam this year. Under the new NEP two-board system, your compartment exam happens inside Phase 2 from 15 May to 21 May 2026. The same date sheet as improvement candidates. The same papers. Same exam centres. Only the category on your LOC application is different.
Quick Facts — CBSE Class 10 Compartment Exam 2026
1.43L
Students in compartment category for 2026
May 15–21
Phase 2 dates (= compartment dates)
10:30 AM
Start time for all papers
33%
Marks needed in each subject to pass
Source: CBSE official LOC data released April 2026. Of 6,68,854 total Phase 2 registrations: 85,285 pure compartment + 57,914 in both compartment-and-improvement = 1,43,199 compartment candidates.
What Actually Changed in 2026
Until 2025, CBSE Class 10 compartment exams were held separately in July. Students who failed in 1 or 2 subjects in the main exam appeared in a supplementary exam in July, and only after that was their final result issued. From 2026, this changed completely.
Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation, CBSE introduced a two-board exam system for Class 10. Phase 2 now serves as both the improvement exam and the compartment exam. Same dates, same papers, same exam centre — only the candidate's category in the LOC differs.
ℹ️ If a school or coaching site tells you about a "July 2026 compartment exam" — that information is outdated. The official CBSE Examination Reforms Notice dated 15 April 2026 confirms the merger.
Are You in Compartment Category? Three Scenarios
Find your situation below. Each leads to a different action.
Scenario A
You passed Phase 1 in all subjects
You are an improvement candidate, not a compartment one. Phase 2 is optional for you — appear only if you want to raise your marks in up to 3 subjects. The higher of Phase 1 / Phase 2 score will count.
Scenario B
You failed in 1 or 2 subjects
You are in compartment category. Phase 2 is your chance to clear the failed subjects in the same academic year. You must appear — otherwise the failure remains on your record. Your school has already submitted your LOC.
Scenario C
You failed in 3 or more subjects
You are not eligible for Phase 2. CBSE rules require minimum appearance in 3 subjects in Phase 1 for Phase 2 eligibility. You will need to reappear in next year's Phase 1 main exam (Feb–Mar 2027) as a private candidate.
Compartment vs Improvement — Side-by-Side Comparison
Many students are confused about the difference. Here’s the precise comparison:
|
Compartment Category |
Improvement Category |
| Who qualifies |
Failed in 1–2 subjects in Phase 1 |
Passed all subjects but wants higher marks |
| Is it mandatory? |
Yes — to clear failure |
No — optional |
| Exam dates |
15–21 May 2026 |
15–21 May 2026 |
| Subjects allowed |
Failed subjects (typically 1–2). Plus up to 3 main subjects in total if combining. |
Up to 3 main subjects (Maths, Science, SST, Languages) |
| What happens to your marks? |
Phase 2 score replaces the failed subject marks (must score ≥33% to pass) |
Higher of Phase 1 / Phase 2 score counts |
| Final marksheet says? |
"Passed" if you clear all subjects in Phase 2 |
"Passed" with the better score |
| If you fail again? |
Reappear in next year’s main exam (Feb–Mar 2027) |
Phase 1 score remains; nothing is lost |
Eligibility Rules for Compartment Candidates
- Must have appeared in Phase 1. Students who skipped Phase 1 entirely cannot use Phase 2 as a substitute — they must wait for next year’s Phase 1.
- Must have appeared in at least 3 subjects in Phase 1. Failing to attempt 3 or more papers makes you ineligible for Phase 2.
- Compartment students from CBSE 2025 (who didn’t clear their July 2025 supplementary or didn’t appear) are eligible to appear in Phase 2 2026 under the same compartment category.
- UFM (Unfair Means) Category 1 candidates may be eligible if otherwise qualified; check with your school.
- Children with Special Needs (CWSN) registered in Phase 1 will continue to receive the same accommodations in Phase 2. New CWSN registrations are not allowed for Phase 2.
- Subject change is not permitted from Phase 1 to Phase 2 — with one exception: Mathematics Standard ↔ Mathematics Basic can be swapped.
- Internal assessment marks cannot be improved in Phase 2. Your Phase 1 internal marks carry over as is.
Phase 2 Date Sheet (Same for Compartment & Improvement)
The exam schedule is identical for compartment and improvement candidates. From the official CBSE date sheet released 23 April 2026:
| Date | Time | Subjects |
|---|
| 15 May (Fri) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Mathematics Standard (041), Mathematics Basic (241) |
| 16 May (Sat) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | English Communicative (101), English Lang & Lit (184) |
| 18 May (Mon) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Science (086) — most popular subject this year, with 4.74 lakh re-takers |
| 19 May (Tue) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Hindi Course-A (002), Hindi Course-B (085), other regional languages |
| 20 May (Wed) | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | IT 402, AI (417), Sanskrit (122), Painting (049) |
| 21 May (Thu) | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Social Science (087) |
For the detailed live countdown and last-minute preparation tips per subject, see our Phase 2 Date Sheet page.
Passing Criteria for Compartment Students
To clear a subject in Phase 2 compartment, you need:
- 33% in theory — that is, 26 out of 80 marks (or 17 out of 50 for IT 402-style 50-mark subjects).
- 33% in internal assessment — 7 out of 20. This is your Phase 1 internal score; cannot be changed.
- 33% overall in the subject combining theory and internal.
If you secure these in every previously-failed subject in Phase 2, you are officially passed in Class 10 with no compartment marker on your final certificate.
✅ Good news: Most students who fail Phase 1 in 1 or 2 subjects do clear Phase 2. CBSE’s overall Phase 1 pass percentage was 93.70% for 2026 — meaning the failure rate was small to begin with, and a focused 5–6 days of revision is usually enough to cross the 33% bar.
What Happens If You Fail in Phase 2 Compartment Too?
If you don’t clear in Phase 2, the academic year ends with the failure on record. You will need to:
- Reappear in CBSE Class 10 Phase 1 2027 as a private candidate (school will guide you on the form — usually opens in October–November 2026).
- Continue Class 11 admission only after clearing — most boards do not allow Class 11 enrolment without a passed Class 10 marksheet.
- Some students switch to NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) which has its own Class 10 pathway with more flexibility.
This makes Phase 2 a real opportunity. Treat it seriously — not as a backup, but as the main exam. Read our complete Phase 2 preparation guide for subject-wise strategy.
For 2025 Compartment Students — You're Also Eligible
If you were placed in compartment category in CBSE Class 10 May/June 2025 and did not clear it, you are eligible to appear in Phase 2 2026 under the compartment category. Your school must re-submit your LOC. Your Phase 1 2026 attempt is not required — you appear directly in Phase 2 in the failed subjects.
If you were also placed in UFM Category 1 (and otherwise eligible), you may also qualify. Verify with your school in advance.
Subject-wise Compartment Distribution — What 1.43 Lakh Students Are Re-Taking
CBSE’s registration data reveals which subjects are being re-attempted in Phase 2 most heavily. Subject popularity is similar across compartment and improvement candidates:
- Science — ~4,74,491 students (most popular)
- Mathematics — second most common (Standard + Basic combined)
- Social Science — large group on 21 May
- Languages — mainly Hindi and English on 16 / 19 May
Most compartment candidates are re-taking 1 or 2 subjects only. If Science is one of yours, our Phase 1 Science answer key and Science MCQ practice are the fastest revision tools available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate CBSE Class 10 compartment exam in July 2026? ▼
No. Under the new NEP two-board exam system introduced in 2026, the traditional July supplementary exam has been discontinued for Class 10. Compartment students now appear in Phase 2 (Second Board Examination) scheduled from 15 May to 21 May 2026. The same date sheet, same papers, same exam centres — just a different category in your LOC application.
When is CBSE Class 10 compartment exam 2026? ▼
CBSE Class 10 compartment exam 2026 is conducted alongside Phase 2 from 15 May 2026 (Maths) to 21 May 2026 (Social Science). All papers begin at 10:30 AM. The schedule is the same for compartment candidates and improvement candidates.
How many students are appearing in compartment category in 2026? ▼
According to CBSE, 85,285 students have registered as pure compartment candidates and 57,914 students have registered for both improvement and compartment, totalling approximately 1,43,199 compartment candidates for CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 2026.
What is the difference between CBSE compartment and improvement exam in 2026? ▼
Both are conducted in Phase 2 (May 15-21, 2026) using the exact same date sheet and question papers. The difference is the candidate category: compartment candidates are those who failed in 1-2 subjects in Phase 1 and need to clear them, while improvement candidates passed all subjects but want to improve their marks. Same exam, different reason for appearing.
I failed in 1 subject in CBSE Phase 1 — am I eligible for Phase 2 compartment? ▼
Yes. Students who failed in 1 or 2 subjects in CBSE Class 10 Phase 1 are automatically eligible for Phase 2 under the compartment category. Your school will have submitted your LOC. Students who failed in 3 or more subjects are NOT eligible for Phase 2 — they must reappear in the next year’s main exam.
Can compartment students from 2025 appear in CBSE Phase 2 2026? ▼
Yes. Students who were placed in compartment category in CBSE Class 10 examinations of 2025 are eligible to appear in the CBSE Class 10 Phase 2 (Second Board) Exam 2026. Their LOC must be re-submitted under the same compartment category.
How many subjects can I take in CBSE compartment exam 2026? ▼
If you are in compartment category, you must appear in all subjects you failed (typically 1 or 2 subjects). You cannot pick and choose. If you also want to use Phase 2 to improve other subjects you passed, you can do so — combined with the compartment subjects, you can appear in up to 3 main subjects total.
What is the passing criteria for CBSE Phase 2 compartment exam? ▼
You must score at least 33% in theory (26 out of 80 marks for most subjects) and 33% in internal assessment (7 out of 20 marks). Internal assessment marks from Phase 1 carry over — they cannot be improved in Phase 2. Overall, 33% in each subject is mandatory to pass.
What if I fail in CBSE Phase 2 compartment exam too? ▼
If you fail in Phase 2 compartment, you must reappear in next year’s CBSE Class 10 main exam (February-March 2027) as a private candidate. There is no separate third chance under the 2026 cycle. Plan your preparation accordingly — Phase 2 is a real opportunity, not a formality.
Will my final marksheet say "compartment" if I clear Phase 2? ▼
Once you pass in Phase 2, your final CBSE Class 10 marksheet shows you as PASSED with the marks scored in Phase 2. The marksheet will not carry the word "compartment" on the certificate as long as you clear all subjects. Your stream selection in Class 11 will use these final marks.
CBSE compartment exam 2026 ka admit card kab milega? ▼
CBSE compartment exam 2026 ka admit card school se milega — usually 2-3 din pehle exam ke. Aapka Phase 1 wala roll number Phase 2 mein bhi same rahega. Agar admit card May 12-13 tak nahi mila, toh school ko turant contact karein.
CBSE 10th compartment ke baad Class 11 admission kab milega? ▼
Phase 2 result aane ke 1 mahine ke andar (lagbhag mid-June 2026) milega. Uske turant baad aap Class 11 mein admission le sakte hain. Stream selection — Science, Commerce, Arts — aapke Phase 1 ya Phase 2 ke higher score ke base par hogi. Most schools June-July 2026 mein admission start karte hain compartment students ke liye.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page reflects CBSE Class 10 Compartment Exam policy for 2026 as per the official CBSE Examination Reforms Notice (15 April 2026) and the Phase 2 LOC Submission Notice. Eligibility, dates, and procedures may change — always cross-verify with your school and at
cbse.gov.in before relying on this information for important decisions.
