The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced the complete schedule for the Class 10 and 12 board exams 2026, ending weeks of speculation among students, parents, and teachers. According to the circular issued on the board’s website, the exams will begin on February 17, 2026, and are expected to run till the last week of March. This year too, CBSE will continue with the two-exam regime, ensuring that the evaluation pattern remains similar to the 2025 cycle.
Students Finally Get Exam Clarity
The release of the date sheet has brought a wave of relief among students who were anxiously waiting for the timetable. For Class 10 students, the exams will start with language papers and move on to core subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Class 12 students, on the other hand, will see English scheduled in the first week, followed by Physics, Chemistry, Accountancy, Business Studies, and other core papers depending on the stream.
A teacher from a Delhi-based CBSE school said, “Every year students wait for the official date sheet so they can plan their revisions. Now that the dates are out, most of them will create subject-wise study routines.”
Was the CBSE Class 12 Datesheet Released in 2025?
Yes. The board had published the Class 12 date sheet for 2025 in December 2024, and the exams were held from mid-February to late March. The same pattern has been repeated in 2026 as well, though with a few adjustments in the order of subjects. This consistency, officials believe, helps both schools and students plan their schedules better.
CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 – Major Highlights
- Start date of exams: February 17, 2026
- Streams covered: Science, Commerce, Arts
- Gap days: Almost every major exam has a one to two-day gap for revision
- Practical exams: Scheduled in January 2026, before the theory papers
- Official PDF: Available for download at cbse.gov.in
Students are advised to keep a printed copy of the date sheet handy, as it not only helps track upcoming papers but also prevents confusion during the busy exam season.
What About Class 10 Board Exam 2026?
The Class 10 exam will also begin on February 17. English is likely to be among the first major papers, followed by Science, Hindi, Social Science, and Mathematics. CBSE has ensured that high-weightage papers like Science and Mathematics have sufficient gaps, giving students breathing space for revision.
One parent, whose child is preparing for the 2026 exam, said, “The good thing is that CBSE has maintained enough gaps between tough subjects. This reduces stress and gives children confidence before sitting in the exam hall.”
Will There Be CBSE Board Exams in 2025 for Class 10?
Yes. The Class 10 exams in 2025 were held as per schedule, starting in February and finishing in March. The board has made it clear that exams remain compulsory for all students, unlike the COVID years when mass promotions were given.
CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2025 – Science Stream Recap
Last year, Science stream students appeared for English first, followed by Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology. Commerce students had Accountancy and Business Studies as their core subjects, while Arts students had Political Science, History, and Geography. The 2026 schedule closely follows this format, giving students familiarity and predictability.
How to Score 90% in CBSE Class 12 Exams?
Every year, thousands of students set their eyes on the 90% mark in Class 12, a milestone that opens doors to top colleges. But how do toppers achieve it?
- NCERT First: Experts repeatedly emphasize that NCERT books are the backbone. At least 70% of board exam questions come directly from NCERT.
- Practice Papers: Solving CBSE sample papers and past 10-year question sets is a must. It helps understand paper patterns and boosts speed.
- Daily Targets: Breaking the syllabus into small daily goals makes preparation less overwhelming.
- Revision Cycles: Three full rounds of revision before the exams can make all the difference.
- Wellness Matters: Proper sleep, balanced diet, and short breaks keep the mind fresh.
A topper from the 2025 batch shared in an interview, “I didn’t study for 12 hours straight. I focused on quality study, three hours in the morning and three in the evening, and that worked wonders.”
CBSE Board Exam 2025 Results and What to Expect in 2026
The 2025 results for both Class 10 and Class 12 were declared in May. The same timeline is expected in 2026 as well, with results likely to be announced by the first or second week of June. This consistency ensures that college admissions and competitive exam schedules remain unaffected.
Date Sheet PDFs for Easy Download
For the convenience of students, CBSE has uploaded official PDFs of the timetable. These are available on the CBSE website and can also be downloaded from popular educational portals such as SarkariResult.com. Students should always verify with the CBSE site to avoid fake or outdated timetables circulating on social media.
The Bigger Picture
The release of the CBSE date sheet 2026 is more than just an administrative update — it’s the beginning of the final lap for lakhs of students. From now till March, every day counts. Coaching centres are expected to intensify their crash courses, while schools will hold revision tests and pre-boards.
Experts believe that the two-exam regime, though sometimes criticized, helps balance pressure across subjects. “It gives students a structured rhythm,” a senior teacher explained. “Instead of cramming everything in a short span, they get enough time to prepare paper by paper.”
Conclusion
With the CBSE officially releasing the Class 10 and Class 12 board exam date sheets for 2026, students can finally map out their strategies. For many, the clarity brings motivation; for others, it sparks anxiety. But one thing is certain — the countdown has begun. The next few months will define academic journeys, and the final result will be a reflection of consistency, discipline, and smart preparation.
As the boards approach, every student will write their own story of effort, late-night revisions, and exam-day nerves. And come June, those stories will translate into marksheets that will pave the way for their future.