CBSE Board Exam 2026 Date Sheet Released: Full Class 10 & 12 Timetable, Subjects, and Important Updates
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the tentative date sheet for the 2026 Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations, well in advance to allow students, parents, and schools to plan effectively. This proactive release comes 146 days ahead of the commencement of exams, which will begin on February 17, 2026.
This year, the exams will involve approximately 45 lakh students across 204 subjects, including those from CBSE-affiliated schools in India and 26 international locations.
Exam Dates and Timing
- Class 10 Exams: February 17 – March 18, 2026
- Class 12 Exams: February 17 – April 4, 2026
- Timing: All exams will be conducted in a single shift, beginning at 10:30 AM daily
CBSE has stated clearly that the date sheet is tentative, and subject to revisions if required.
Class 10 Detailed Exam Schedule Highlights
The Class 10 timetable spans from core subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Social Science to vocational and skill-based courses. Below are key highlights from the schedule:
- February 17: Mathematics – Standard (Code 041) and Basic (Code 241)
- February 21: English Communicative (Code 101) and English Language & Literature (Code 184)
- February 25: Science (Code 086)
- March 2: Hindi Course A (Code 002) and Course B (Code 085)
- March 7: Social Science (Code 087)
Vocational and skill-based subjects like Retail, Security, Food Production, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Multi-Media are scheduled between February 18 and March 9.
Language papers, including French, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, Sanskrit, and regional languages, are scheduled across different dates, with the most extensive range of language exams occurring between February 24 and March 9.
Class 12 Detailed Exam Schedule Highlights
The Class 12 exam schedule spans nearly two months, starting February 17 and ending on April 4, covering both academic and vocational streams. Key exam dates include:
- February 17: Biotechnology (Code 045), Entrepreneurship (Code 066)
- February 20: Physics (Code 042)
- February 21: Business Studies (Code 054), Business Administration (Code 833)
- February 28: Chemistry (Code 043)
- March 9: Mathematics (Code 041) and Applied Mathematics (Code 241)
- March 12: English Core (Code 301) and English Elective (Code 001)
- March 18: Economics (Code 030)
- March 28: Accountancy (Code 055)
- March 30: History (Code 027)
- April 4: Sociology (Code 039)
In addition to academic subjects, a wide variety of vocational and skill-based courses are scheduled. These include:
- Legal Studies (Code 074) – March 3
- Mass Media Studies (Code 835) – March 5
- Artificial Intelligence (Code 843) – March 24
- Computer Science (Code 083), Informatics Practices (Code 065), and Information Technology (Code 802) – March 25
- Biology (Code 044) – March 27
Language exams are clustered on March 17, covering regional and foreign languages including Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Japanese, Spanish, and many more.
Evaluation and Results Timeline
CBSE has also shared tentative guidelines regarding the evaluation of answer scripts. As per the schedule:
- Evaluation for a subject will begin approximately 10 days after the exam
- Each evaluation cycle will be completed within 12 days
For instance, the Class 12 Physics paper scheduled for February 20 will likely see evaluation start from March 3 and end by March 15.
This phased evaluation strategy is aimed at ensuring timely processing of results and minimizing delays.
CBSE’s Strategic Planning: What It Means for Students
The early release of the timetable is a strategic move by CBSE to give students ample time to:
- Organize their study plans effectively
- Balance core and elective subjects
- Practice time management during preparation
- Prepare for practical exams, which usually occur ahead of theory papers
Given the extensive subject list and involvement of schools internationally, early planning also benefits school administrators, allowing them to finalize internal planning, staffing, and logistics.
Final Note: Tentative Nature of the Schedule
CBSE has clearly indicated that while this schedule provides a solid roadmap, it is still tentative. Any revisions due to administrative, logistical, or unforeseen issues will be communicated officially on CBSE's website.
Students and parents are strongly advised to monitor official CBSE communications regularly and not rely on unofficial sources for updates or changes.
How to Download the Official Timetable
Students can access the detailed Class 10 and 12 CBSE Date Sheets from the official CBSE website:
In Summary
The CBSE Board Exams 2026 are structured, comprehensive, and inclusive of academic, vocational, and regional subject offerings. With 45 lakh students gearing up for these examinations across India and abroad, the detailed and early release of the timetable marks a positive step toward academic transparency and preparedness.
Stay tuned for any updates and ensure you're aligned with the official schedule as you plan your preparations for the 2026 board exams.
