Over 4.5 million students will sit for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 and 12 board exams in 2026. The exams will be held across India and in 26 other countries. The examination period begins on February 17 .
Exam Schedule and Centers
The CBSE Class 10 and 12 board exams will take place at 8,074 centers nationwide. Approximately 2.4 million students are expected to appear for these examinations. The daily exam timing is set from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM .
Key Reforms for 2026 Exams
CBSE is implementing several reforms for the 2026 board exams. These changes affect the exam pattern, assessment, and re-evaluation processes.
Class 10 Exam Structure
The CBSE Class 10 board exam will now be conducted twice a year . The first phase is scheduled from February 17 to March 11 . The second phase will run from May 5 to May 20 .
Class 12 Exam Schedule
The Class 12 board exams will commence on February 17 and conclude on April 10 .
Subject-Specific Changes
For Class 10, the science and social science question papers will be divided into sections. Each section will cover specific sub-domains, allowing for more targeted evaluation by subject experts. Science covers physics, chemistry, and biology. Social science includes history, geography, economics, and political science.
Assessment Methods
Answer sheets for Class 10 exams will be evaluated through the traditional physical mode . For Class 12, CBSE is introducing on-screen marking . This aims to reduce examiner stress and improve the accuracy and timeliness of answer script checking.
Exam Dates at a Glance
| Particular | CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates | CBSE Class 12 Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1/Main Exams | February 17 – March 11 | February 17 – April 10 |
| Phase 2 Exams (Class 10 only) | May 5 – May 20 | N/A |
Admit Card and Website Information
Students can download their admit cards from the official CBSE websites. These include cbse.gov.in , parikshasangam.cbse.gov.in , and cbseit.in .