CBSE Date Sheet 2026 Released: Class 10 & 12 Board Exam Schedule, PDF Download & Key Instructions
Category: Education News / CBSE Updates
Last Updated: October 31, 2025
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the final date sheet for the Class 10 and Class 12 Board Examinations 2026. In a historic move detailed on (Page 4) of the notification, the board has released the schedule nearly 110 days in advance. This early announcement follows a tentative schedule that was released 146 days prior, allowing students unprecedented time for preparation (Page 1 & 4).
📋 CBSE 2026 Highlights: At a Glance
| Conducting Body: | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Start Date: | February 17, 2026 (Page 1) |
| Official Website: | www.cbse.gov.in (Page 5) |
| Major Change: | Two Board Exams for Class 10 (NEP 2020) (Page 1) |
📅 When Do CBSE Board Exams 2026 Start?
According to the official notification (Page 1 & 4), the board examinations for both Class 10 and Class 12 will commence on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
- Exam Start Time: All examinations will begin promptly at 10:30 AM (IST) (Page 2 & 4).
- Release Timing: This date sheet was released early to assist students with time management and to reduce examination anxiety (Page 2 & 5).
🔟 CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026: Major Subjects
For Class 10 students, the board exams kick off with Mathematics on the very first day. The schedule has been designed to provide sufficient gaps between common subjects (Page 4).
Key Exam Dates for Class 10:
| Date | Day | Subject (Code) | PDF Page Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Mathematics Standard (041) & Basic (241) | (Page 7) |
| Feb 21, 2026 | Saturday | English (Comm & Lang/Lit) (101, 184) | (Page 7) |
| Feb 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Science (086) | (Page 8) |
| Mar 02, 2026 | Monday | Hindi Course A & B (002, 085) | (Page 8) |
| Mar 07, 2026 | Saturday | Social Science (087) | (Page 9) |
🎓 CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026: Stream-wise Breakdown
The Class 12 schedule has been carefully crafted to avoid clashes with entrance examinations like JEE (Main), ensuring exams are completed well before entrance tests begin (Page 4).
Science Stream Highlights:
- Physics: Friday, February 20, 2026 (Page 11)
- Chemistry: Saturday, February 28, 2026 (Page 12)
- Mathematics: Monday, March 9, 2026 (Page 13)
- Biology: Friday, March 27, 2026 (Page 14)
- Computer Science: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 (Page 14)
Commerce Stream Highlights:
- Accountancy: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 (Page 11)
- Economics: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (Page 14)
- Business Studies: Saturday, March 28, 2026 (Page 14)
- English Core: Thursday, March 12, 2026 (Page 13)
Humanities/Arts Stream Highlights:
- Geography: Thursday, February 26, 2026 (Page 12)
- Political Science: Monday, March 23, 2026 (Page 14)
- History: Monday, March 30, 2026 (Page 14)
- Psychology: Thursday, March 5, 2026 (Page 12)
- Sociology: Saturday, April 4, 2026 (Page 15)
🚀 Why Was the 2026 Date Sheet Released 110 Days Early?
CBSE has cited several benefits for releasing the date sheet significantly earlier than usual, as outlined on (Page 2 & 5):
- Reducing Anxiety: Students can start preparations well in advance, helping them overcome exam anxiety and improve performance (Page 2 & 5).
- Summer Vacation Planning: Families of students and teachers can now plan their summer visits and breaks, keeping the examination and evaluation schedules in mind (Page 2 & 5).
- No Academic Loss: Teachers will not be away from school for extended periods, ensuring studies for non-board classes are not hampered (Page 2 & 5).
- Entrance Exam Management: The schedule ensures JEE (Main) and CBSE exams do not overlap. The NTA will now require the Class 11 Registration Number for JEE applications (Page 2 & 5).
🔔 Important Instructions for Students
- Admit Card Mandatory: Students must strictly follow the instructions given on their Admit Card and it is mandatory to comply with all CBSE instructions (Page 10 & 15).
- Prohibited Items: No communication devices are allowed inside the examination center (Page 10 & 15).
- Arrival Time: Exams start at 10:30 AM (IST), so plan to reach the center early (Page 4).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will there be two board exams for Class 10 in 2026?
Yes. The official notification confirms that in 2026, CBSE will conduct two Board examinations for Class 10 as per the recommendations made in NEP-2020 (Page 1 & 4).
How can I avoid conflicts with JEE Main dates?
CBSE has made efforts to complete exams before entrance tests. Additionally, the NTA will require your Class 11 Registration Number on the JEE Main application to ensure dates do not coincide (Page 2 & 5).
Where can I download the official CBSE Date Sheet 2026 PDF?
The date sheets can be accessed and downloaded directly from the CBSE's official website, www.cbse.gov.in (Page 2 & 5).
📥 Download Official CBSE Date Sheet 2026 PDF
(Official Link: cbse.gov.in)
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