The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has released the official model papers for the upcoming Class 10 and 12 annual examinations for the year 2026. These model papers are now available for students to download in PDF format from the board’s official website, upmsp.edu.in . This release offers a crucial preview of the exam structure, question types, and marking scheme for students preparing for the high-stakes state board exams.
The annual UP Board examinations for secondary (Class 10, or Madhyamik) and intermediate (Class 12) students are scheduled to run from February 18 to March 12, 2026 . Over 52 lakh students across Uttar Pradesh are expected to appear for these exams. A total of 7,448 exam centres have been approved to facilitate the smooth conduct of the examinations statewide.
Key Dates and Revised Timetable
The UPMSP recently published a revised timetable for certain key subjects. Students should note the updated dates for Hindi and Sanskrit papers.
| Date | Shift | Class 10 Subject(s) | Class 12 Subject(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 18 | First (8:30 AM – 11:45 AM) | Hindi, Elementary Hindi | — |
| February 18 | Second (2:00 PM – 5:15 PM) | — | Hindi, General Hindi |
| March 12 | Second (2:00 PM – 5:15 PM) | — | Sanskrit |
The examination period spans approximately three weeks, concluding mid-March. Students must cross-reference their personal timetables with the official release for all subjects.
General Examination Guidelines
All UP Board examinations operate under standardized guidelines. Each paper is set for a duration of 3 hours and 15 minutes . The initial 15 minutes are specifically allocated for students to read the question paper thoroughly. This reading time ensures clarity before attempting any answers. All questions presented in the examination papers are compulsory. The maximum marks assigned to each question or part are clearly displayed alongside it. This allows students to allocate their time strategically.
Exam Shifts
Exams are conducted daily in two distinct shifts:
- First Shift: 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM
- Second Shift: 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM
Class 12 Mathematics Paper Structure
The Class 12 mathematics question paper features a total of nine questions . All these questions are compulsory. Students must attempt every question to maximize their score. The model paper provides specific examples of these question types.
Class 10 Question Paper Format and OMR Instructions
The Class 10 examination paper for most subjects is structured into two main parts: Part A and Part B. This format integrates both objective-type and descriptive-type questions.
- Part A: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
- This section contains 20 multiple-choice questions .
- Each MCQ carries one mark , contributing 20 marks to the total.
- Students must answer these MCQs on a separate OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) answer sheet .
- The use of only a blue or black ballpoint pen is mandatory for marking answers on the OMR sheet.
- Erasers, whiteners, or any correction fluid are strictly prohibited on the OMR answer sheet. Any attempt to alter marks may lead to the invalidation of that particular answer.
- Part B: Descriptive Questions
- Part B carries a total weightage of 50 marks .
- This section evaluates students’ understanding through various descriptive formats.
- Questions vary in length and complexity, including very short-answer, short-answer, and long-answer types.
- For example, Question 1 is typically a very short-answer type, requiring brief and precise responses.
- Question 2 often consists of short-answer questions, demanding more detailed explanations.
- Questions 3, 4, and 5 are generally long-answer questions, requiring comprehensive responses and detailed analyses.
- Instructions accompanying each question specify the required number of sections or parts to complete.
Students should use these model papers to understand the specific requirements for each question type and practice accordingly. Adherence to OMR guidelines is essential for Class 10 students.