CBSE has announced the final date sheet for the Class 10 and 12 Board Exams 2026, beginning on February 17, 2026. Released 110 days in advance, the timetable gives students and schools ample time to prepare. As per the NEP 2020 guidelines, Class 10 students will appear for two board exams this year.
CBSE Class X-Examination Schedule 2026
| Date | Day | Time | Subject(s) / Exam(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 2026 | Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Mathematics (Std & Basic) | |
| 18 Feb 2026 | Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Home Science | |
| 20 Feb 2026 | Friday | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Vocational / Skill Subjects (e.g. Beauty & Wellness, Multi-Skill, etc.) | |
| 21 Feb 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | English (Communicative / Language & Literature) | |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Monday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Regional / Second Language subjects (Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, etc.) | |
| 24 Feb 2026 | Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Elements of Business / Urdu Course-B | |
| 25 Feb 2026 | Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Science | |
| 26 Feb 2026 | Thursday | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Vocational / Other Elective Subjects | |
| 27 Feb 2026 | Friday | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Computer Applications / IT / AI | |
| 28 Feb 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Arabic / Sanskrit / Regional languages | |
| 2 Mar 2026 | Monday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Hindi Course-A / Hindi Course-B | |
| 3 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Other Languages / Elective subjects | |
| 5 Mar 2026 | Thursday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Language / Regional subjects like Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada etc. | |
| 6 Mar 2026 | Friday | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Painting / Art | |
| 7 Mar 2026 | Saturday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Social Science | |
| 9 Mar 2026 | Monday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | Languages (Telugu, Russian, Persian, Nepali, etc.) & Music / Culture subjects | |
| 10 Mar 2026 | Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 01:30 PM | French |
CBSE Class XII Examination Schedule 2026
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CBSE Class 10 and 12 Board Exams 2026 Dates: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the official date sheet for the 2026 Class 10 and 12 Board Exams, confirming that the exams will begin on February 17, 2026. This year’s announcement is notable, as the timetable has been published 110 days in advance, giving students, teachers, and schools more time to plan studies, revisions, and assessments effectively. Earlier, while announcing the 2025 board exam results, CBSE had stated that the 2026 board exams would start in February. In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Class 10 students will now appear for two board exams in one academic year. This change aims to reduce exam stress and provide students with more than one opportunity to perform their best.
For the first time, CBSE had also released a provisional date sheet on September 24, 2025, nearly 146 days before the exam start date. After receiving the final List of Candidates (LOC) from schools, the board has now published the final schedule, ensuring smooth exam conduct and avoiding subject overlaps.
CBSE Class 10 and 12 Board Exams 2026 Date Sheet PDF Link
Students can download the official CBSE 2026 Board Exam Date Sheet PDF for both Class 10 and Class 12 from the official website – cbse.gov.in. The early release of the timetable helps students prepare thoroughly and allows schools to plan internal assessments, practical exams, and pre-board tests in advance.
Download the official CBSE Class 10 and 12 date sheet PDF
CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 Exam Dates 2026- Overview
| CBSE Class 10th and 12th Exam Overview and Dates | |
| Board | Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi |
| Exam | CBSE Board Exams 2026 |
| Class | 10th and 12th Class |
| CBSE Class 10th Exam Date 2026 | 15 February to 18th March 2026 |
| CBSE Class 10 Practical Exam Date 2025 | January-February 2026 (Before the Board Exams) |
| CBSE Class 12th Exam Date 2026 | 15 February to 18th March 2026 |
| CBSE Class 12th Practical Exam Date 2026 | Jan to Feb 2026 |
| 12th Class Streams | Arts, Science, Commerce |
| Website | cbse.gov.in |
CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026
The Class 10 board exams 2026 will begin on February 17, 2026, and are likely to end by mid-March 2026. The timetable provides adequate gaps between major subjects such as Science, Mathematics, and Social Science, allowing students to plan their revisions effectively and perform confidently in all papers.




CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026
The Class 12 board exams 2026 will commence on February 17, 2026, and continue until April 2026. CBSE has designed the timetable strategically to avoid clashes with major national entrance exams like JEE Main and NEET, ensuring students have enough time to prepare for both board and competitive exams.




What are the Details Included in CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 for Classes 10 and 12?
The CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 for Classes 10 and 12 includes all key details such as exam dates, timings, and subject codes. Students are advised to carefully check and confirm their exam schedule on their admit card, which will be available a few days before the exams on the official website — cbse.nic.in 2026.
- Exam Date
- Reporting Time
- Subject Names
- Subject Codes
- Exam Day Instructions
How to Download CBSE 2026 Date Sheet PDF?
To download the CBSE Date Sheet 2026, visit the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in and follow these steps:
- Step 1: Go to the CBSE official websites – cbse.gov.in or cbseacademic.nic.in.
- Step 2: On the homepage, find and click the link titled CBSE 10th and 12th Date Sheet 2026.
- Step 3: The PDF files for the Class 10 and Class 12 date sheets will open separately.
- Step 4:Download and print the CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 for easy access and future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
The CBSE admit cards for Class 10 and 12 board exams 2026 are expected to be released in January 2026, approximately a month before the written exams. The admit card is a crucial document containing a student’s roll number, examination center details, subject codes, and exam dates. Without the admit card, students are not allowed to appear for the exams. Once distributed through schools, students should check all details carefully and report any discrepancies immediately. It’s recommended to keep multiple photocopies of the admit card for safety. Students should also match the exam dates on their admit card with the CBSE Date Sheet 2026 to ensure accuracy and avoid confusion during the exam days.
The CBSE Board Exams 2026 for Classes 10 and 12 are expected to begin in February 2026 and continue through March 2026, following the pattern of previous years. The CBSE date sheet 2026 provides a detailed subject-wise timetable that helps students plan their preparation effectively. Generally, practical examinations are conducted in January, followed by written exams in February and March. CBSE has already released a tentative date sheet for 2026, indicating that the Class 10 exams might start around the third week of February, while Class 12 exams could commence a few days earlier. Students are advised to carefully go through the timetable and make a study plan that covers revisions, sample paper practice, and mock tests. Keeping track of exam dates is crucial for avoiding confusion and managing subjects with consecutive papers.
Students can easily download the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 Exam Date Sheet 2026 from the official CBSE notification section when it is released. The date sheet is usually available in PDF format, containing all exam dates, subject codes, and exam timings. Once downloaded, students should print a copy and highlight their subjects to make revision scheduling easier. It’s important to note that the CBSE 10th and 12th board exam schedule is released separately for both classes. Students must verify the subject codes and timings carefully, as some papers are conducted in the morning session from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, while others may have different durations. Keeping a printed version of the timetable on your study desk helps in daily planning and prevents last-minute confusion. Students should also stay updated with official notifications in case of any date adjustments or additional instructions.
The CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 contains essential details that guide students through the exam period. It includes the name of the subject, subject code, exam date, day of the week, and exam timing. The timetable also specifies duration of each paper, and whether the subject is a core, elective, or skill-based subject. This detailed structure helps students organize their preparation subject-wise and manage time effectively. Moreover, the CBSE date sheet also includes general instructions regarding exam day guidelines such as reporting time, items allowed in the examination hall, and rules for answering booklets. Knowing these details well in advance ensures that students reach the examination center on time and are aware of every requirement. Reviewing the date sheet regularly helps prevent missing any paper or misinterpreting the schedule.
Yes, CBSE has already released a tentative schedule for the 2026 board exams for both Class 10 and Class 12. The tentative CBSE date sheet 2026 PDF provides a preliminary idea of when each subject exam will be held. According to the tentative plan, CBSE Class 10 exams are expected to begin around 17 February 2026, and Class 12 exams around mid-February 2026. The final date sheet will confirm these details once reviewed by the board. The tentative schedule allows students to start preparing strategically and organize their revision time accordingly. It also helps schools to plan pre-board exams and internal assessments before the main board examinations. Students are advised to treat the tentative schedule seriously and maintain consistency in preparation since the final timetable often follows a similar structure.
The CBSE Board Exams 2026 for both Class 10 and Class 12 will typically be conducted from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, as per the official examination schedule. However, for certain skill-based or practical subjects, the duration may vary between 2 to 3 hours depending on the paper’s requirements. Students are required to reach their examination centers by 10:00 AM, as answer booklets are distributed 15 minutes before the start time. The CBSE date sheet 2026 also emphasizes that students should read the question paper from 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM before writing their answers. This pre-reading time helps students plan their responses and manage time efficiently. It’s crucial for students to verify their subject-specific exam timings, especially for optional and elective subjects, to avoid confusion.
Yes, the CBSE practical exams for Class 10 and 12 are generally conducted in January, about a month before the written exams. The CBSE practical exam schedule 2026 is announced separately and shared with schools to coordinate internal and external assessments. Practical exams play an important role in subjects like Science, Computer Applications, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, where internal marks contribute to the final grade. Students are required to maintain proper practical records, lab files, and projects as they are verified during these assessments. Practical exam dates are usually set by individual schools under CBSE guidelines. Therefore, students must stay informed through their school circulars and complete their practical preparation well in advance of the written board exams.
The CBSE Class 10 and 12 Date Sheet 2026 is designed thoughtfully to provide sufficient gap days between major subjects. These gaps help students revise thoroughly and avoid exam fatigue. For instance, core subjects like Science, Mathematics, and Social Science in Class 10 or Physics, Accountancy, and Economics in Class 12 usually have a gap of at least two to three days. This structure helps students prepare comfortably and revise high-weightage topics. However, smaller elective or language subjects might be scheduled with shorter gaps. Students should utilize these breaks effectively for revision, mock tests, and concept reinforcement. Proper time management during these intervals can greatly enhance overall performance in the board exams.
Once the CBSE Date Sheet 2026 is released, students should create a personalized study timetable based on their subject sequence and exam dates. They must allocate more time to subjects with shorter gaps between papers. Practicing previous year question papers, sample papers, and mock tests according to the CBSE exam pattern helps in time management and familiarization with question types. Students should focus on revising NCERT-based concepts as most questions are directly derived from prescribed textbooks. Additionally, maintaining good health and adequate rest during the exam period is essential for optimal performance. Regularly checking the official schedule helps students avoid missing any updates or last-minute changes in the CBSE board exam timetable 2026.
While CBSE rarely changes the exam schedule once finalized, minor adjustments in the CBSE Date Sheet 2026 may occur due to administrative reasons or national holidays. In such cases, the board issues an official notice with revised dates. Students should not rely on tentative schedules indefinitely and must keep track of official announcements. It’s advisable to verify every date with the final CBSE Class 10 and 12 timetable once released. Schools also notify students about any changes immediately, so staying connected with teachers and school authorities is beneficial. Students should continue their preparation as per the original schedule until official updates are published.