New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the tentative schedule for the 2026 board exams, giving students across the country their first official look at the timetable.
Both Class 10 and Class 12 exams will begin on 17 February 2026. For Class 10 students, the last paper will be held on 9 March, while Class 12 candidates will continue writing exams till 4 April. All papers will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Officials have underlined that this is only a tentative sheet and may be revised if required.
Class 10 Exams
Class 10 exams are set to start with Mathematics on 17 February. The English paper will follow on 21 February, Science on 25 February, Hindi on 2 March and Social Science on 7 March. The final exam is scheduled for 9 March. Other languages and vocational subjects are spread out between these dates.
Class 12 Exams
Class 12 board exams, considered crucial for college admissions, will run until 4 April. Close to 16 lakh students are expected to appear.
English Core will be the first paper, on 17 February. Physics will follow on 20 February, Chemistry on 23 February, Biology on 28 February, and Mathematics on 2 March. Economics is set for 7 March. Papers for Humanities and Commerce will begin from 11 March.
The full timetable will be released officially in November 2025.
Admit Cards
Admit cards for both classes will be issued in February 2026. Regular students will need to collect them from their schools, while private candidates can download them from the CBSE website. No student will be allowed to enter the exam hall without the card.
Results
Evaluation of answer sheets will begin about ten days after each paper. For example, the Class 12 Physics exam on 20 February will likely be checked from 3 March and completed by 15 March.
Results for both classes are expected around 20 May 2026. Supplementary exams for Class 12 are likely to take place in July, with results by August.
New Features in 2026
This year, the board is making a few changes. More emphasis will be on competency-based questions. Class 12 students may also get two attempts in selected subjects such as Mathematics. Grading will shift to a 9-point scale. New skill-based subjects like Design Thinking, Electronics & Hardware, and Physical Activity Trainer will also make their debut.
Preparation Advice
Teachers recommend that students stick to NCERT books, prepare a timetable and revise regularly. Sample papers, past question papers, and timed mock tests can also be useful. Alongside studies, experts say students must not ignore rest, food and exercise.
Final Word
The release of the timetable has set the ball rolling for board exam season. With less than five months to go, the focus now shifts to preparation. Students are advised to keep checking cbse.gov.in for official updates on the date sheet, admit cards and results.
