The Central Board of Secondary Education conducted the Class 12 Economics board exam on March 18, 2026 across exam centres in India. The exam was held in a single shift from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Students from the Commerce and Humanities streams appeared for the paper as part of the ongoing board examinations.
CBSE Class 12 Economics 2026: Exam Highlights
The key details of the exam are provided below:
- Exam Date: March 18, 2026
- Exam Time: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
- Duration: 3 hours
- Total Marks: 80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal)
- Sections: Macroeconomics and Indian Economic Development
The exam was conducted smoothly at all centres.
CBSE Economics Question Paper 2026: Pattern and Structure
The question paper followed the latest CBSE pattern with a balanced mix of questions.
- Case-study based questions
- Assertion-reason type MCQs
- Short answer questions
- Long answer questions
- Numerical-based questions
The paper was largely based on the NCERT syllabus and sample paper pattern.
CBSE Class 12 Economics 2026 Difficulty Level
As per initial reactions, the overall difficulty level of the paper was moderate.
- Most questions were direct and concept-based
- The paper was considered balanced
- Macroeconomics section was slightly tricky for some students
Students who had practised numerical and case-based questions found the paper manageable.
CBSE Economics Answer Key 2026
The official answer key has not been released yet. However, coaching institutes are expected to release unofficial answer keys soon. Students can use these to:
- Estimate their scores
- Analyse performance
- Identify mistakes
CBSE Class 12 Economics Passing Marks 2026
To pass the subject, students must meet the minimum criteria set by CBSE.
- Minimum Passing Marks: 33% (including theory and internal assessment)
Students must secure passing marks separately in theory and overall aggregate.
CBSE Class 12 Economics 2026: Student Reactions
Initial feedback suggests that the paper was well-balanced and aligned with expectations.
- Many students found the paper lengthy but manageable
- Conceptual clarity was important for solving numericals
- A few questions required deeper understanding
With the Economics exam completed, students will now move on to the remaining subjects. The question paper and detailed solutions are expected to be available soon for further analysis.