CBSE Board Exam 2026: Important Information for Students
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a tentative schedule for the 2026 board exams for classes 10 and 12. Here are the key points to note:
CBSE Class 10 Exam Schedule
- The exam will be held in two phases:
- First phase: February 17, 2026, to March 6, 2026 (compulsory for all students)
- Second phase (Improvement exam): May 5, 2026, to May 20, 2026 (optional for students who want to improve their scores or failed in the first phase)
- The exam period has been reduced from 32 days to 16-18 days, with 2-3 days’ gap between subjects.
CBSE Class 12 Exam Schedule
- The exam will be held once a year:
- Exam dates: February 17, 2026, to April 2026
- Main subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Social Science will have fixed dates, while smaller subjects will be held in different phases.
Important Points to Note
- Registration: The List of Candidates (LOC) needs to be submitted by September 2025.
- Practical/Internal Assessment: It will be held only once, and the scores will be valid for both phases.
- Exam Center: The same center will be used for both phases, and self-centers are not allowed.
- Digilocker: The result of the first phase will be available on Digilocker, but the passing certificate will be issued only after the second phase.
Subjects and Exam Pattern
- CBSE has divided subjects into three groups:
- Main subjects: Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will be held on fixed dates.
- Regional and foreign languages: These exams will be held on the same day.
- Other optional subjects: These exams will be held on different dates.
Preparation Tips
- Students who are appearing for the 2026 CBSE board exams can start preparing according to the tentative schedule.
- It’s essential to understand the new exam pattern and focus on scoring well in the first phase.
By following these guidelines and starting preparation early, students can perform well in the CBSE board exams and achieve their goals.
