New Delhi – The countdown has officially begun for tens of thousands of students across the country as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released its tentative date sheet for the 2026 board examinations of Class 10 and Class 12. Exams are slated to kick off on 17 February 2026, giving schools and students an early window to chart their preparation.
According to the schedule:
- For Class 12 (AISSCE), theory exams will begin on 17 February 2026.
- For Class 10 (Secondary School Examination), the first phase starts 17 February 2026; a second chance for improvement or missed subjects is likely between 15 May and 1 June 2026.
What the Date Sheet Shows
The board has tried to strike a balance between logistics, student readiness and evaluation timelines. Here are some of the headline points:
- Both Class 10 and Class 12 exams start on 17 February 2026.
- For Class 10: Phase 1 runs from 17 February until early/mid-March 2026 (dates vary by subject and school). Phase 2 is arranged for mid-May to early June as a separate opportunity.
- For Class 12: The main theory window ends around early April 2026, and the tentative period stretches up to July in some reports.
- Exam timings, in many cases, are fixed to morning hours (e.g., 10 : 30 am start) to standardise across regions and avoid clashes.
These developments highlight a more organised approach by CBSE this year, and students have welcomed the early announcement. A Class 12 student in Delhi remarked “We finally know the date for Maths and Science so revision doesn’t feel like it’s rushed.”
What’s New This Exam Cycle
Several key changes mark the 2026 exam schedule:
- The two-phase model for Class 10 board exams is a major innovation, aimed at giving students more flexibility and less one-shot pressure.
- The date sheet has been released earlier than many past years, giving extra runway for preparation. Analysts note this shift may reduce last-minute clutch work by both schools and students.
- There’s an emphasis on quicker evaluation: some timelines indicate evaluation beginning within about 10 days after each subject exam.
For teachers and schools, this means examination logistics, revision schedules, and mock tests will need to align sooner.
Why This Matters for Students and Schools
For students, having fixed dates well in advance means revision planning can start in earnest. Rather than count on uncertain exam windows, they now know “when” — which is half the battle.
Schools too benefit. With a clear lead time, allocation of exam halls, invigilators, and coordination with external centres for branch/country schools becomes much simpler. Parents get better visibility on the exam period too, which aids in supporting home routines, rest and wellness.
In a competitive layer where many students juggle board exams along with entrance-exam coaching (for JEE, NEET, etc.), the clarity on board schedule reduces overlap and helps plan big decisions earlier.
What Students Should Do Now
- Download the PDF of the tentative date sheet from the official CBSE website and keep it accessible.
- Highlight your subject dates and count backwards to fix revision blocks.
- Mark practical/internal assessment dates: Practical exams for winter-bound schools begin November 2025 and for others January 2026.
- Plan revision with buffer days. With more time available now, set mini-goals week by week rather than last-minute cramming.
- Look after health & sleep: Exams are not just about content; brain and body need to cooperate.
- Check with your school about any final adjustments. Since the date sheet is tentative, stay alert for changes.
Implications & What Comes Next
If everything goes smoothly this year, CBSE’s approach may set a pattern for future cycles — earlier announcements, better spacing, dual-phase exams (for Class 10) and efficient evaluation. For students, this means the exam wave becomes less of a sudden tsunami and more of a manageable tide.
Schools will have to adapt: the teaching-revision-mock cycle needs to begin earlier. Coaching centres can align their board-entrance balance better. Results may come earlier because evaluation windows are tighter. For policymakers, the shift signals a move toward greater transparency and student-centric scheduling.
In short the board has given the “when”. Now it’s on students, teachers and schools to focus on the “how well”. With disciplined preparation, smart revision and calm headspace, this schedule can be turned from a looming challenge into a clear roadmap.
Bottom line: Students of Class 10 and Class 12 under CBSE for 2026 now have their exam calendar. Phase 1 begins on 17 February 2026. Use the window wisely, plan early and keep your eyes on the goal. The countdown has begun.