The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the tentative date sheet for Classes 10 and 12 board examinations 2026, signaling a major shift in the country’s largest school board’s exam calendar. What was once a predictable annual timetable has now transformed into a flexible, phased schedule, influenced by Covid-19 disruptions and reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The final date sheet is expected by late October or early November.
Pre-Covid Consistency
Till 2019, CBSE followed a steady calendar.
- Class 10 exams usually began in mid-February or early March and ended by early April.
- Class 12 exams started around mid-February and concluded in early April.
- Date sheets were typically released in December or January, providing schools and students ample preparation time.
- Core subjects like English, Science, and Mathematics were well-spaced with sufficient preparation gaps.
Pandemic Disruptions
The Covid-19 outbreak in 2020 disrupted this rhythm.
- 2020 exams were cut short, with some papers cancelled midway.
- In 2021, Class 10 board exams were cancelled entirely, while Class 12 exams were postponed and later scrapped after weeks of uncertainty.
- In 2022, CBSE introduced a two-term exam system, with Term 2 exams held between April and June. This model was temporary, aimed at ensuring flexibility during unpredictable conditions.
Return to Single Board Exam Cycle
By 2023 and 2024, CBSE returned to the single annual exam format.
- Exams began earlier, around mid-February, but stretched into April.
- Gaps between major subjects were reduced, drawing concerns from students and parents about stress and preparation time.
CBSE 2026: Tentative Multi-Window Schedule
For 2026, CBSE has announced a tentative date sheet, with exams spread across February to July for Class 10 and February to April for Class 12. This phased, multi-window approach reflects the board’s preparation for biannual Class 10 board exams as recommended under NEP 2020.
Reactions from Schools and Teachers
School leaders and educators have responded with caution.
- Maitreyi Borthakur, Principal of a CBSE school in Ghaziabad, said: “Flexibility makes sense from a policy perspective, but it complicates staff duties and academic calendars.”
- Daya Varughese, Principal of a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kerala, noted: “Multiple exam windows may reduce student stress but double the workload for schools, especially in handling answer scripts.”
- Nirjharika Bose, a senior teacher in Kolkata, emphasized: “Covid showed how fragile schedules can be. More examiner capacity and clear contingency rules are crucial.”
