The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board exams for Class 10 and Class 12 for the academic year 2025–26 are actively underway across India and in several international centres. Students appeared for exams such as the Class 10 English Language & Literature paper on 21 February 2026, and the board has released related question paper PDFs and is sharing answer keys and analysis to aid post-exam evaluation.
CBSE 2026 Exam Timings and Pattern
The board has set uniform exam timings for most papers: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM for both Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. Across subjects, the question papers generally assess comprehension, writing skills, grammar and analytical abilities. The pattern and marking scheme are aligned with the board’s curriculum and CBSE sample papers.
CBSE Board 2026: Question Paper Analysis and Difficulty Level
After the exams conclude, students and educators evaluate the difficulty of the question papers:
- The Class 10 English exam was widely deemed student-friendly and easy to moderate by examinees.
- Various subject analyses for papers such as Physical Education and Physics (Class 12) show a moderate challenge with reasonable time-management demands for many students.
Students often use these insights to compare performance across sets and assess preparedness for upcoming exams.
CBSE Board 2026: Answer Keys and Question Paper PDFs
CBSE and educational portals have published question paper PDFs for multiple subjects, including English, Mathematics and others. Alongside, answer keys for key papers are available in downloadable formats to help students check probable scores before official results are announced.
CBSE Board 2026: Key Datesheet and Exam Schedule
The board released the CBSE final datesheet for the 2026 board exams:
- Phase 1 of Class 10 exams: 17 February to 11 March 2026
- Class 12 exams: 17 February to early April 2026
- Class 10 Phase 2 exams: scheduled in May–June 2026 under the new term structure.
These exams are part of the board’s implementation of a two-term system under the latest academic framework.
CBSE Board 2026: Exam Day Guidelines and Passing Criteria
Students must report at least 30–45 minutes before the reporting time stated on admit cards, carry valid admit cards and fill in all required details on OMR sheets before the paper begins. A minimum of 33 per cent marks in theory, practical and internal assessments in each subject is necessary to pass the board exam.
What’s Next for CBSE Students?
Students should:
- Review the released question papers and answer keys for self-evaluation.
- Follow official sites for further exam schedules and updates.
- Prepare for their remaining papers using solved papers and pattern insights.
More updates, including official answer key releases and post-exam summaries, will continue as the remainder of the CBSE Board Exam 2026 progresses.