The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) commenced the Class 10 Board Examination 2026 from 17 February 2026, marking the start of the first phase of papers that will continue through 11 March 2026, as per the official schedule released earlier.
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Schedule and Time Table
CBSE has published the final date sheet for the Class 10 Board Exams 2026. The written examinations are being held in the offline mode, with students appearing in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM at centres across India and abroad.
- Exam Start Date: 17 February 2026
- Phase-1 End Date: 11 March 2026
- Time: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM (entry allowed till 10 AM only)
- Exam Phases: Primary phase; second attempt (optional) expected later in May–June 2026
The board’s date sheet ensures scheduled distribution of core subjects such as Mathematics, English, Science, Social Science and languages.
Exam Day Guidelines and Advisory from CBSE
CBSE has issued strict guidelines to students for the ongoing board examinations, covering reporting time, admit card rules and permitted stationery in exam halls. Students must carry their admit cards and valid photo-ID proofs to every exam session. In addition, the board has released an official advisory warning against fake news and rumours, especially related to paper leaks and social media misinformation circulating during the exam period. Students and parents should only rely on verified communication from cbse.gov.in for authentic updates.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Analysis and Student Experience
Recent papers, including the Mathematics exam, have drawn mixed responses from students and educators, with reports suggesting an unexpectedly tough question set and challenging time management for some examinees. Despite difficulty concerns, teachers have advised students to remain focused on their subsequent papers and maintain calm during this critical evaluation period.
CBSE Board Exam Cheating Norms and Examination Integrity
To strengthen exam integrity, CBSE has tightened rules against cheating. Students found violating conduct norms may face compulsory compartment exams or other academic consequences, as per the board’s updated regulations for the 2026 cycle.
CBSE Board Exam Structure: New Two-Phase Format
For the 2025–26 session, CBSE is implementing a two-phase board examination model, where the first phase is mandatory, and the second optional phase may be held later in the year for students wishing to improve performance in up to three subjects. The better of the scores from both phases will be taken for the final result. This shift aims to reduce exam pressure and align with broader education reforms supporting flexibility and competency-based assessment.