The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has commenced the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations 2026 from today, February 17. The annual examinations are being conducted across approximately 8,000 centres, with over 46 lakh students appearing this year. As per the official schedule, the CBSE Class 10 board exams 2026 will conclude on March 11, while the Class 12 board exams 2026 will continue until April 10, 2026.
CBSE Board Exam 2026: Shift Timings
The examinations are being held in a single morning shift.
- Exam begins at: 10:30 AM
- Exam concludes at: 1:30 PM
- Entry closes at: 10:00 AM (no entry after this time)
- Reading time: 15 minutes (10:15 AM to 10:30 AM)
Students are given 15 minutes prior to the commencement of writing to carefully read the question paper and plan their answers.
Subjects Held on February 17
On the first day of the examination, the following subjects are scheduled:
Class 12:
- Biotechnology
- Entrepreneurship
- Shorthand (English)
- Shorthand (Hindi)
Class 10:
- Mathematics
CBSE 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
Students must strictly adhere to the board’s instructions to avoid any inconvenience on exam day.
Mandatory Requirements
- Carry a physical copy of the CBSE admit card, duly signed by the school principal.
- Digital copies of the hall ticket will not be accepted.
- Regular students must wear their complete school uniform.
Permitted Items
- Transparent stationery pouch
- Blue or royal blue ballpoint pens
- Transparent water bottle
Prohibited Items
- Mobile phones
- Smartwatches
- Calculators
- Any electronic communication device
CBSE has reiterated that candidates arriving late will not be permitted entry under any circumstances. Students are advised to reach their examination centres well in advance and carefully follow all guidelines for a smooth examination process.