Central Board of Secondary Education will commence the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations from 17 February 2026, Tuesday. The exams will be conducted in a single shift from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm as per the official timetable. More than 46 lakh students from India and 26 countries abroad are expected to appear for the 2026 board examinations.
CBSE Board Exam 2026 First Papers and Schedule
The first examination for Class 10 will be Mathematics (Basic and Standard). For Class 12, the first papers include Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Shorthand (English and Hindi). For Class 12 Board Exams 2026, around 18,57,479 students are expected to appear across 120 subjects. The Board will evaluate nearly 1,00,44,295 answer books, reflecting the scale of the examination process.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 Advisory and Travel Arrangements
Due to traffic restrictions in parts of central Delhi during the AI Impact Summit near Bharat Mandapam, Delhi Police has issued a special advisory for students. Traffic personnel have been directed to assist candidates travelling to exam centres. Students carrying their CBSE admit cards or date sheets will be given priority to ensure timely arrival.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 Exam Day Guidelines
The Board has issued detailed instructions for candidates appearing in the exams. Students must follow these guidelines strictly.
- Carry a hard copy of the CBSE admit card
- Wear proper school uniform and carry school ID card
- Reach the examination centre at least 25–30 minutes before reporting time
- Avoid carrying restricted items such as mobile phones, smart watches or electronic gadgets
- Bring personal stationery; sharing will not be allowed
- Use only blue or black pen for writing answers
- A transparent water bottle is permitted
- 15 minutes will be provided for reading the question paper
Students without admit cards will not be allowed to enter the examination hall.
What’s New in CBSE Board Exams 2026?
CBSE has introduced key changes for the 2026 examination cycle. For Class 10, the Board is implementing the dual-exam system announced earlier. This allows students to reappear in certain subjects to improve their scores.
For Class 12, CBSE will introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) from 2026. The system will replace physical evaluation of answer sheets with a digital assessment process. The shift aims to streamline evaluation and improve efficiency in handling large volumes of answer scripts.
With lakhs of candidates appearing across India and abroad, CBSE has strengthened coordination and monitoring to ensure smooth conduct of examinations. Students are advised to adhere strictly to guidelines and monitor official announcements for any further updates.