The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a fee hike for the 2026 board exams for Classes 10 and 12, effective for the 2025-26 academic session.
This is the first fee revision since 2020 and is intended to cover rising operational costs for conducting the exams.
Why the Fee Hike?
CBSE raised its examination and registration fees for the 2025–26 academic year due to rising operational costs and the need to sustain quality in exam administration—without relying on traditional revenue sources like migration certificates, which are no longer mandatory.
What’s Changed: The New Fee Structure (2025–26)
CBSE increased the exam fee by ₹20 per subject (~6.66%) in India, and by 10% per subject in Nepal and other foreign countries. Practical fees also went up by ₹10 per subject in India and ₹25 abroad. Registration fees for Classes 9 and 11 were also increased similarly.
Here’s the updated breakdown:
| Category | India | Nepal | Other Countries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theory – Per Subject | ₹320 | ₹1,100 | ₹2,200 |
| Theory – Five Subjects (Total) | ₹1,600 | ₹5,500 | ₹11,000 |
| Practical (Class XII – Per Subject) | ₹160 | ₹175 | ₹375 |
| Registration – Class 9 | ₹320 | ₹550 | ₹550 |
| Registration – Class 11 | ₹320 | ₹660 | ₹660 |
Plus, there’s a ₹2,000 late fee per candidate if registration lapses extend past the deadline. Visually impaired students remain exempt from exam fees.
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Here is a breakdown of the new fee structure:
For Indian Students:
Examination Fee (per subject):
- The fee for each theory subject has been increased by ₹20, bringing the new cost to ₹320 per subject.
Total for Five Subjects:
- The total examination fee for five subjects is now ₹1,600.
Practical Exam Fee (Class 12):
- The fee for each practical subject has increased by ₹10, making the new cost ₹160 per subject.
For Students in Nepal and Other Countries:
Nepal:
- The exam fee for five theory subjects is ₹5,500, with an additional ₹1,100 for each extra subject. Practical fees are ₹175 per subject.
Other Countries:
- The exam fee for five theory subjects is ₹11,000, with an additional ₹2,200 for each extra subject. Practical fees are ₹375 per subject.
The late fee for submission of the List of Candidates (LOC) is ₹2,000 per candidate. The board has also made the APAAR ID mandatory for students in Classes 9-12 who will be appearing for the 2026 board exams.
Summary
You can expect a modest increase—about ₹20 extra per subject for Indian students—which adds up to ₹1,600 for the standard five-subject spread. Practical exams and registration also carry a slight bump.
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