New Delhi, Aug 31 - From the current academic year, the tens of thousands of students studying in Class 10 need not burn the midnight oil or get stressed over the board exams -- the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 examination has been made optional.

Making this announcement here late Monday evening, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters: 'The CBSE Class 10 exams are optional from the 2009-10 academic year.'

'I have said this earlier too,' Sibal said after the 56th meeting of the Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE) here, attended by education ministers and officials from states.

He added that the examination would give way to a grading system and students would be evaluated throughout the year.

HRD ministry officials believe this move would help relieve the stress on thousands of students and their families.