CBSE Board Exams 2026 LOC Reforms: Everything You Need to Know About the New Registration System

The Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced sweeping changes to the List of Candidates (LOC) submission process for the 2026 board exams. If you’re a student, parent, or educator, buckle up. These reforms aren’t just minor tweaks—they’re reshaping how students register for Class 10 and 12 board exams across India.

Let’s break down what’s changed, why it matters, and how you can navigate these new requirements without losing your mind.

What Exactly is LOC and Why Should You Care?

Think of the LOC as your official entry ticket to CBSE board exams. It’s the document that schools submit to CBSE, listing every student who’ll sit for the exams. No LOC entry? No exam hall for you. Simple as that.

According to CBSE’s official guidelines, schools must now complete LOC submissions between September and October of the academic year—months before exams actually begin. Miss this window, and you’re looking at late fees or worse, disqualification.

The Big Changes: What’s New in 2026?

1. Two Board Exams for Class 10 (Yes, You Read That Right)

CBSE is introducing a dual-exam system for Class 10 students starting February 2026. Here’s how it works:

First Exam (Mandatory): February 17 to March 10, 2026 Second Exam (Optional): May 15 to June 1, 2026

The first exam is your main board exam. Everyone has to take it. The second one? That’s your chance to improve scores in up to three subjects. Think of it as a built-in safety net.

Sports students who miss the first exam due to national or international competitions can only appear in the second cycle. No separate exams will be conducted anymore, so timing your participation matters more than ever.

2. APAAR ID is Now Mandatory (No Exceptions)

Here’s the game-changer: starting 2026, every Indian student needs an APAAR ID to register for board exams.

APAAR stands for Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry. It’s a 12-digit unique number that follows you from Class 9 through higher education. According to the Ministry of Education’s APAAR portal, this ID links to your DigiLocker and stores all academic records digitally.

Why the sudden push? CBSE wants to eliminate duplicate records, fake certificates, and data errors. Schools must now submit LOC data only for students with valid APAAR IDs. The board validates these IDs during submission.

Important note: Schools outside India are exempt from this requirement. But if you’re studying in India and don’t have an APAAR ID, you won’t be on the candidate list.

3. No More Last-Minute Subject Changes

In the old system, students could sometimes juggle subjects between registration and exams. Not anymore.

Once you submit your LOC for the first exam, your subject choices are locked. No changes allowed. Period.

The only wiggle room? You can request changes for the second exam (the optional improvement one). But for your main exam, what you register is what you get.

4. Attendance Rules Got Stricter

CBSE now requires 75% attendance for Classes 9-10 (if you’re appearing for Class 10) and Classes 11-12 (for Class 12 exams).

Schools track this religiously. Fall below 75%, and you’re not appearing in exams—unless you have a valid medical exemption or documented special circumstances.

LOC Submission Timeline: When Things Happen

Here’s your roadmap, straight from CBSE circulars:

CBSE sent multiple reminders in October 2025 (Reminder 6 came on October 29), emphasizing that corrections would close. Schools that missed deadlines faced penalties.

CBSE Board Exams 2026 LOC Reforms: How to Generate Your APAAR ID (Step-by-Step)

Creating an APAAR ID isn’t rocket science, but you need specific documents:

1. Student’s Aadhaar number
2. Name matching UDISE+ records
3. Date of birth
4. Photograph
5. Parent/guardian names
6. Mobile number

Your school typically handles the generation through the UDISE+ portal. Once created, the APAAR ID card appears in your DigiLocker account automatically.

Pro tip: Make sure your name in school records matches your Aadhaar exactly. Even small spelling differences can cause verification failures.

What About Children with Special Needs?

CBSE launched a dedicated portal for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) as part of the LOC reforms. This portal helps schools register students who need accommodations—like extra time, scribe assistance, or accessible exam centers.

Parents should coordinate with schools early to ensure proper documentation. The system allows for individualized support, but it requires advance planning.

Data Verification: Schools Have New Responsibilities

Schools now generate candidate-wise data verification slips during LOC submission. These slips include:

• Personal details and parent information
• Subject codes (must be accurate)
• Photographs (recent and clear)
• Category details (General, SC, ST, OBC)

Teachers can only be assigned evaluation work if they teach higher classes. This prevents conflicts of interest and maintains exam integrity.

Exam Fees: What You’ll Pay

CBSE revised examination fees for 2026. While exact amounts vary by location and subject combination, expect:

• Registration fee per subject
• Practical exam charges (for science, arts, vocational subjects)
• Late submission penalties
• Migration certificate fees

Fees are collected during the first LOC submission and are non-refundable. If you register for both exams, you pay once upfront.

Common Questions Students Are Asking

Can I skip the first exam and just take the second one? Nope. The first exam is mandatory. The second is only for improvement if you’ve already attempted the first.

What if I fail the first exam? You move to Essential Repeat or Compartment status. The second exam won’t help you pass—it’s strictly for score improvement, not for passing a failed subject.

My attendance is 74.5%. Am I doomed? Probably, unless you have documented medical reasons or valid exemptions. Talk to your school administration immediately.

Can I change one subject after LOC submission? For the first exam, absolutely not. For the second exam, maybe—but it’s complicated and requires approval.

Why These Reforms Matter (The Real Talk)

CBSE isn’t making changes just to annoy everyone. These reforms align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which pushes for:

• Reduced exam stress through multiple attempts
• Better data accuracy and transparency
• Digital-first approach to academic records
• Holistic student development over rote memorization

The two-exam system gives students breathing room. Messed up in February? You’ve got May to fix it. That’s genuinely helpful for students dealing with exam anxiety or one-off bad days.

The APAAR ID, while feeling like extra bureaucracy, actually solves real problems. Imagine applying to colleges and having all your certificates instantly verified. No more collecting physical documents or worrying about lost marksheets.

Practical Tips for Students and Parents

Start early with APAAR registration. Don’t wait until schools start panicking in September. Get it done now.

Double-check all LOC data. One typo in your name can cause massive headaches later. Verify everything before submission.

Maintain attendance seriously. 75% isn’t a suggestion—it’s a hard requirement. Track it yourself, don’t rely solely on school records.

Keep documents organized. Store your APAAR ID card, DigiLocker login, and all communications from school in one place.

Understand the two-exam system’s limitations. The second exam helps with improvement, not with passing failed subjects. Don’t bank on it as a primary strategy.

What Happens Next?

The first CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams kick off on February 17, 2026. Results typically come out by mid-May. The second exam cycle follows immediately after.

Schools are already deep into LOC preparation. If you haven’t received communication from your school about APAAR ID or LOC submission, reach out. Don’t wait for them to come to you.

CBSE maintains all official updates at cbse.gov.in. Check the Examination Circulars section regularly for new notifications.

The Bottom Line

The CBSE LOC reforms for 2026 represent a significant shift toward digitization and student-friendly assessment. Yes, there’s more paperwork initially. Yes, the APAAR ID requirement adds another layer to registration.

But the trade-offs—two chances at board exams, verified digital records, transparent data management—make it worthwhile in the long run.

Stay informed, meet deadlines, and work closely with your school. These reforms are here to help, not hinder. Just don’t leave everything to the last minute. That advice never goes out of style.

Also read

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is APAAR ID mandatory for all CBSE students?

Yes, for students in India appearing for 2026 board exams, APAAR ID is mandatory. Students in schools outside India are exempt from this requirement.

Q2: Can I appear in only the second exam if I missed the first one due to illness?

No. The second exam is only for score improvement. If you miss the first exam, you’ll need to contact CBSE for special consideration, but generally, you’d be marked absent and would need to appear the next year.

Q3: How many subjects can I improve in the second exam?

You can improve scores in up to three subjects during the May 2026 exam cycle.

Q4: Will both exam scores appear on my final marksheet?

Your best scores will be considered. The marksheet reflects your highest achievement across both attempts.

Q5: What documents do I need for APAAR ID registration?

You need your Aadhaar card, school records with matching names, date of birth, photograph, and parent/guardian details. Your school typically handles the actual registration process through the UDISE+ portal.

Sources:

• CBSE Official Website: https://www.cbse.gov.in
• Ministry of Education APAAR Portal: https://apaar.education.gov.in
• CBSE Examination Circulars 2025-2026
• National Education Policy 2020 Guidelines

Iflaq Raja

I am a content creator and SEO-focused writer who shares accurate, easy-to-understand information on government jobs, exams, results, and educational updates to help students make better career decisions.