CBSE Board Exam 2026: Official Date Sheet for Class 10 & 12 Released
The anxiety is finally over! The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the final and definitive date sheet for the Class 10 and Class 12 Board Examinations 2026. This welcome, early announcement—issued 110 days before the exams—provides the clear roadmap you need to conquer your final exams and plan your revision with precision.
Let's dive into the official schedule that will shape the final months of your academic year.
📅 Critical Dates: The Official Exam Window
The main theory examinations for both classes will maintain the traditional February start, with the entire schedule designed to conclude well before the major competitive entrance tests.
| Event | Start Date | End Date |
| CBSE Theory Exams 2026 (Classes 10 & 12) | Tuesday, February 17, 2026 | Thursday, April 9, 2026 |
| Exam Timings | 10:30 AM (IST) (Single Shift) | 1:30 PM (IST) (or 12:30 PM for short papers) |
IMPORTANT: School-based practical exams, project assessments, and internal assessments for Classes 10 & 12 are typically scheduled to be conducted between January and early February 2026. Students must check with their respective schools immediately for specific subject dates and timings.
🎓 Schedule Highlights: Strategic Gaps for Revision
The board has meticulously crafted the schedule to ensure sufficient, student-friendly gaps between core papers for commonly taken subject combinations, helping you maximize revision time.
CBSE Class 10: Dates for Major Subjects (Phase 1)
The Phase 1 of the Class 10 board exams will run from February 17 to March 10, 2026.
| Date | Day | Subject Name |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Mathematics Standard / Basic |
| Feb 21, 2026 | Saturday | English (Language & Literature/Communicative) |
| Feb 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Science |
| Mar 02, 2026 | Monday | Hindi (Course A / Course B) |
| Mar 07, 2026 | Saturday | Social Science |
CBSE Class 12: Core Subject Timetable
Note the strategic gaps between core papers (e.g., between Physics and Mathematics) providing crucial relief for students.
| Date | Day | Core Science Subjects | Core Commerce Subjects | Core Arts Subjects |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Fri | Physics | - | - |
| Feb 24, 2026 | Tue | - | Accountancy | Geography |
| Feb 28, 2026 | Sat | Chemistry | - | - |
| Mar 09, 2026 | Mon | Mathematics / Applied Maths | Mathematics / Applied Maths | - |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Thu | English (Elective / Core) | English (Elective / Core) | English (Elective / Core) |
| Mar 18, 2026 | Wed | - | Economics | Economics |
| Mar 27, 2026 | Fri | Biology | - | - |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Sat | - | Business Studies | - |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Mon | - | - | History |
✨ NEP-2020 in Action: The Two-Phase System for Class 10
The most significant policy change this year is the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommendation: two board exams per year for Class 10 students. This major reform aims to drastically reduce the high-stakes pressure associated with a single, annual test.
How the Two-Phase System Works:
- Phase 1 (Mandatory): This is the main board examination scheduled for February-March 2026. All Class 10 students must appear for this examination.
- Phase 2 (Optional Improvement): This second phase will be conducted later in the academic year, likely around May-June 2026. This exam is optional and serves solely as an improvement opportunity.
- Best Score Counts: The policy states that students can choose to retain their best score between the two attempts. If a student is satisfied with their marks in Phase 1, they can skip Phase 2 entirely for those specific subjects.
- Full Syllabus in Both: Both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will cover the entire Class 10 syllabus. This encourages consistent, comprehensive learning rather than selective study.
Internal Assessment is Once: Crucially, the internal assessment (20 marks) will be conducted only once during the academic year by the school.
| Feature | Phase 1 (February-March) | Phase 2 (May-June - Tentative) |
| Attendance | Compulsory for all students. | Optional (For improvement only). |
| Syllabus Covered | Full Syllabus | Full Syllabus |
| Final Result | The better of the two scores (Phase 1 or Phase 2) will be reflected on the final mark sheet. |
📥 Action Plan: How to Download the Official Date Sheet
While the major dates are listed here, you must check the official PDF for minor and vocational subjects. Do not rely solely on third-party screenshots.
Visit the Official Portal: Go to the CBSE main website: cbse.gov.in.
Navigate: Click on the 'Main Website' link.
Find the Circulars: Look for the 'Latest @ CBSE' or 'Circulars' section.
Download: Click the link titled "Date Sheet for Class X and XII for Board Examinations - 2026".
🎯 Final Message: The Blueprint is Set
The time for speculation is over. With your exam blueprint clearly laid out, the hard work begins now. Print the timetable, highlight your papers, and adjust your study plan to maximize the revision time in the gaps provided. Focus on conceptual clarity and competency-based practice.
We wish you the very best in your final push toward success!
Keywords: CBSE date sheet 2026, CBSE board exams 2026, NEP 2020 board exams, CBSE board exam strategy, CBSE exam start date 2026, CBSE syllabus 2026
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