CBSE Class 10, 12 Exam Dates 2026: Mark Distribution, Assessments

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released detailed subject-wise mark distribution for Class 10 and 12 practical, project, and internal assessments for the 2025 academic year. These crucial assessments will take place from January 1, 2026, to February 14, 2026 . Theory examinations for both classes will commence on February 17, 2026 , with specific end dates for each class.

This comprehensive circular aims to clarify assessment guidelines for schools and students. It provides a clear breakdown of how the total 100 marks for each subject are divided across different evaluation components. The board also seeks to prevent common errors in mark submission by schools.

Assessment Guidelines and Timeline

CBSE mandates that each subject for Class 10 and 12 carries a total weightage of 100 marks. This includes components such as theory examinations, practicals, project work, or internal assessments, depending on the subject. Schools must strictly adhere to the prescribed timeline of January 1 to February 14, 2026, for conducting all practical, project, and internal assessments. No extensions or deviations will be permitted.

The board’s circular directly addresses issues schools often face when uploading marks. By providing explicit details, CBSE intends to ensure accurate reporting and reduce the need for subsequent corrections due to administrative errors. This measure emphasizes compliance with established procedures.

Detailed Mark Break-Up Elements

To facilitate clarity, the consolidated list issued by CBSE outlines specific details for all Class 10 and Class 12 subjects. This information is critical for both students understanding their evaluation structure and schools managing the assessment process. The detailed break-up includes:

• Class level
• Subject code
• Official subject name
• Maximum marks allocated for the Theory examination
• Maximum marks allocated for Practical components
• Maximum marks allocated for Project assessment
• Maximum marks allocated for Internal assessment
• Information on whether an external examiner will be appointed for practical/project assessment
• Confirmation on whether the Board will provide practical answer books
• Specification of the type of answer book to be used in the theory examination

These details help students prepare for specific assessment formats. They also inform schools about resource requirements, such as needing an external examiner or using board-supplied materials for certain subjects.

Confirmed Theory Exam Schedule

The CBSE Class 10 theory examinations for the 2026 session are scheduled to run from February 17 to March 10, 2026 . Class 12 theory examinations for the same session will extend from February 17 to April 9, 2026 . These dates are final and apply across all affiliated schools.

CBSE revised the Class 10 timetable after receiving feedback from students. This revision aimed to ensure students had sufficient preparation time between papers. Additionally, the board advises students planning to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 to provide their Class 11 details during application. This step helps the National Testing Agency (NTA) prevent date clashes between the JEE Main and Class 12 board examinations.

Class 10 Subject-Wise Marks Distribution

Class 12 Subject-Wise Marks Distribution