Special provisions for the students of Class X and XII participating in National/International Sports events and International Olympiads only: CBSE

Special provisions for the students of Class X and XII participating in National/International Sports events and International Olympiads only: CBSE Order dated 15.09.2025

CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
(An Autonomous Organisation under the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India)

HQRS/Coord/Sports-Class X/XII/2025/

Dated: 15/09/2025

To

The Principal/Head of Institutions, Schools affiliated to CBSE (Through CBSE website)

SUBJECT: SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR THE STUDENTS OF CLASS X AND XII PARTICIPATING IN NATIONAL/ INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS AND INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIADS ONLY-REG

Madam/Sir,

As several initiatives have been taken by the Government of India to promote sports among youth, CBSE has also mainstreamed Health and Physical Education at the Secondary and Senior Secondary levels by introducing a mandatory period per day for sports, games, Health and Physical Education, Yoga & CBSE Sports etc.

For promoting sports and other educational competitions among youths, CBSE has been providing the following facilities to candidates appearing for class XII CBSE Examination alongwith participating in any such activities:

1. Since March 2018, CBSE has been providing a special opportunity to the students by conducting special examination(s) at a later date(s) for the students who are participating in National/International Sports Events and whose CBSE Board’s examinations clash with the dates of National/International Sports events including dates of the journey for the events recognized by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI).

2. Since March 2020, CBSE has also been providing a special opportunity to the students by conducting special examination(s) at a later date(s) for the students who are participating in International Olympiads and whose CBSE Board’s examinations clash with their dates of International Olympiad including dates of the journey for the Olympiad recognized by Appropriate Authority in India viz. Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE).

Through this initiative, CBSE ensures that students who aim for excellence in both academics and sports are given equal opportunities to grow, ensuring that neither area of their development is neglected.

These initiatives help students to stay fit and healthy while also teaching them values like discipline, teamwork and hard work. CBSE always works to support the complete growth of students by giving equal importance to curricular and co-curricular activities.

SCHEME FOR CLASS- X IN NEW SCENARIO

In reference to above, it is stated that CBSE has introduced the two-Board Examination policy for Grade X which has been put in the public domain vide circular CBSE/CE/2-Board Examinations-X/2025 dated 25/6/2025.

In light of the two Board Examination system (First Exam will start from Mid of February, 2026 and Second in May, 2026) the special examination for sports students of Class X will now be conducted only along with the Second Board Examinations to be held in the month of May 2026. Therefore, schools should be well aware about the following:

General conditions:

1. It is mandatory for these students to fill the LOC for the main examination.

2. Sports students will be allowed to appear in 2nd2nd examinations in the subjects whose examinations have coincides with their sports event or with the journey only.

3. No separate sports examination will be held after the first Board examination or 2nd2nd Board Examinations.

4. In case, a sports student is appearing in second Board examination and placed in compartment category. For such students, Compartment Examination will be held next year in Feb/March.

5. It is must to obtain permission from the CBSE for exemption from first examination as per policy.

All schools are requested to ensure the following:

1. Communicate these changes to students, parents, and teachers well in advance.

2. Ensure timely submission of internal assessment marks as per CBSE timelines.

3. CBSE will be issuing FAQs regarding maximum subject combinations to facilitate the schools as well as students.

4. The LOC (List of Candidates) for all students participating in sports events will be completed alongwith that of other students, to ensure their eligibility to appear in the Second Board Examinations in case the exam dates coincides with their sports events.

5. Schools are required to ensure that the internal assessment, practical components, and student records are updated and aligned with the prescribed schedule.

SCHEME FOR CLASS XII

There is no change in the scheme for Class XII. For the students whose journey or sport event will clash with the examination, these examinations will be re-conducted after the first examinations are over.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both Class X and XII are as under:-

Provisions to avail of the opportunity will be as per the following details:

1. Only for the sports recognized by the SAI/BCCI and Olympiads recognized by the HBCSE.

2. Only for the Board’s main theory examinations falling during the dates of events of that particular Sport/Olympiad in the participating event and the journey period for the event.

3. Opportunity will not be available for Supplementary Examinations.

4. Opportunity will not be available for practical examinations/projects/internal assessments as these are conducted over a prolonged period and can be rescheduled by the schools at their level.

5. Exemptions in attendance beyond the rules of the Boards shall not be extended.

6. Opportunity is not available for participation in training/selection camps.

7. No request beyond the schedule will be accepted for exemption.

8. “Certificate of Participation” from the SAI/BCCI/HBCSE would be required to be submitted in the prescribed format to be issued by the nodal officers of the concerned organization only.

9. Head of the schools/responsible Organisations will forward recommendations/ issue certificate of participation for those students to Regional Offices, CBSE whose cases are strictly falling within the purview of these instructions/SOPs.

10. No special examination for an individual student will be conducted other than or in addition to the schedule for special examination fixed by the Board.

11. SAI/BCCI/ HBCSE shall host the certificate of participation on their website for cross-verification.

12. Such candidates will not be permitted to appear in the Supplementary Examination as all subjects of class-XII examinations are conducted only in one day.

13. Certificate of participation need to be issued by the Nodal officers of the concerned organizations.

14. Decision of the Competent Authority of the Board shall be final and binding on schools and students.

15. Any request received against the policy will not be considered by the Board and school will be responsible for the consequences aroused out of wrong action.

16. The same would be case with SAI/BCCI/HBCSE also. If any recommendations are found against the policy of the Board, the same will be treated invalid request for which CBSE will not be responsible.

17. School Principal will give an undertaking that application has been forwarded as per policy of the Board and if it is found that request is not in consonance with the policy, the same be rejected by the CBSE and the decision of the CBSE would be accepted to me.

18. CBSE may amend these SOPs and Rules at any time.

It has been noticed that often schools and students do not follow the instructions given in this circular meticulously and therefore face problems in availing the special facilities provided herein.

In order to facilitate the schools and students, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Annexure – E has been developed to understand the SOPs clearly.

Schools will disseminate these instructions and SOPs to the notice of all their students who are likely to participate in a National / International Sports Event/International Olympiads, well in time so that the students can avail the benefit of this initiative of CBSE.

[Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj]
Controller of Examinations

List of Annexures:

Annexure-A : List of Nodal Officers of Sports Authority of India (SAI) and BCCI along with the list of Sports disciplines covered under each.
Annexure-B : Proforma of the Certificate of Participation issued by the Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Annexure-C : Proforma of the Certificate of Participation issued by the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI)
Annexure-D : Proforma of the Certificate of Participation issued by the Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education (HBCSE)
Annexure-E : FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Annexure-B

Annexure-C

Annexure-D

Annexure-D

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATED TO SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS AND INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIADS FOR SENIOR SECONDARY EXAMINATION – 2025-26 OF CBSE.