The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has commenced the Class 10 board examinations 2026 from 17 February 2026 as part of the nationwide academic assessment exercise for secondary students. These exams run in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with no entry allowed after 10:00 AM to maintain discipline and smooth conduct of papers.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates and Timetable Highlights
The official board examination schedule shows that CBSE Class 10 exams will run over several weeks, covering core subjects such as Mathematics, English, Science, Hindi, and Social Science.
- Exam Start Date: 17 February 2026
- Exam Duration: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (single shift)
- Key Papers: Mathematics on the first day, followed by Home Science, English, Science and others as per date sheet
- Official Portal: cbse.gov.in (date sheet PDF available)
Students are expected to check their detailed timetable on the CBSE website and prepare accordingly for each paper.
CBSE Class 10: Exam Day Instructions and Centre Guidelines
Ahead of and during the exams, the board has issued comprehensive exam-day instructions for Class 10 candidates to ensure a fair examination environment. Key rules include:
- An admit card and photo ID are mandatory for entry
- Students must reach the examination centre well before 10 AM
- No student will be allowed after 10:00 AM under any circumstances
- Question papers will be distributed at approximately 10:15 AM
- A bell schedule marks key timings during the exam duration
These measures are designed to minimise disruptions and support an orderly assessment process for all examinees.
CBSE Class 10 Paper Analysis and Student Feedback
On the first day, Mathematics (Standard and Basic) papers were held, and early feedback from students and teachers suggests that the exam was conducted smoothly with varying difficulty levels across sections. Experts and educators are providing live paper analysis and student reactions to help aspirants gauge trends in question patterns and exam challenges. The CBSE Class 10 board exams are part of a larger schedule that also includes Class 12 sessions, with similar rules and timings across both levels. Teachers and parents are advised to ensure students are aware of the centre rules, reporting times, and essential items to carry before each exam day.
CBSE Class 10: Other Advisory and Support Updates
In addition to exam instructions, CBSE has issued important advisories for candidates regarding travel, safety, and mandatory checks before entering exam halls. Students are encouraged to stay up to date with announcements on cbse.gov.in and to follow all guidelines closely. Live updates will continue as more papers are held, with detailed coverage of subject-wise question papers, difficulty levels and expert evaluation to assist future candidates and educators.