CBSE Date Sheet 2026: Complete Schedule for Class 10 and 12 Board Exams

by
CBSE Date Sheet 2026 Complete Schedule for Class 10 and 12 Board Exams
4.5/5 - (2 votes)

CBSE Date Sheet 2026: Complete Details for Class 10 and 12 Board Exams

The CBSE date sheet 2026 has been released on September 24, 2025, by the Central Board of Secondary Education on its official website cbse.gov.in. This year, CBSE has published the timetable well in advance, almost five months before the exams, to help students plan their studies in a better way. More than 45 lakh students from India and 26 foreign countries will appear in the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board exams 2026.

The board exams will be conducted in a single shift, usually from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. For a few vocational subjects, the duration will be from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. According to the board, the CBSE results 2026 will be declared by July 15, 2026.

This article covers everything you need to know about the CBSE date sheet 2026 for both Class 10 and Class 12, important highlights, subject-wise timetable, analysis, preparation tips, and frequently asked questions.

Release Context of CBSE Date Sheet 2026

The CBSE date sheet 2026 has been designed in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP focuses on reducing exam stress, giving flexibility to students, and balancing exam schedules with other competitive exams.

For the year 2026, CBSE has introduced a two-phase system for Class 10 board exams. Students of Class 10 will have the opportunity to appear in:

  • Main Exams (Phase 1) in February–March 2026
  • Optional Exams (Phase 2) in May–June 2026, for those who missed Phase 1 or want to improve their performance

Class 12 exams, however, will continue to be held in a single annual phase.

The early announcement of the CBSE date sheet 2026 gives schools, teachers, and students sufficient time to prepare:

  • Students can plan subject-wise strategies.
  • Schools can arrange logistics such as exam centers and invigilators.
  • Teachers can balance completion of syllabus and exam duties.

Some key changes from last year include:

  • Class 10 main exams will end earlier (March 9 instead of March 18 in 2025).
  • Phase 2 for Class 10 begins from May 15, helping students avoid a clash with competitive exams like JEE Main or NEET.

CBSE Date Sheet 2026 for Class 10

Class 10 exams will be conducted in two phases. Phase 1 covers the main examinations, and Phase 2 will be optional for re-appearing students.

Class 10 Phase 1 Exam Schedule (February 17 to March 9, 2026)

DateDayTimeSubject Code(s)Subject Name(s)
17 Feb 2026Tuesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM041, 241Mathematics Standard, Mathematics Basic
18 Feb 2026Wednesday10:30 AM – 12:30 PM401, 403–422Vocational Subjects (Retail, Security, Automotive, etc.)
20 Feb 2026Friday10:30 AM – 12:30 PM407, 412, 416, 418Beauty & Wellness, Marketing, Multi Skill Foundation, Physical Activity Trainer
21 Feb 2026Saturday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM101, 184English (Communicative, Language & Literature)
23 Feb 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM018French
24 Feb 2026Tuesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM003–011, 089Regional Languages (Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Manipuri, Telugu–Telangana)
25 Feb 2026Wednesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM086Science
26 Feb 2026Thursday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM064Home Science
27 Feb 2026Friday10:30 AM – 12:30 PM165, 402, 417Computer Applications, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence
28 Feb 2026Saturday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM119–134, 303Sanskrit, Rai, Gurung, Tamang, Urdu Course-B
2 Mar 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM002, 085Hindi Course-A, Hindi Course-B
3 Mar 2026Tuesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM017–099Tibetan, German, NCC, Japanese, Spanish, Kashmiri, etc.
5 Mar 2026Thursday10:30 AM – 12:30 PM049Painting
6 Mar 2026Friday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM008, 012–015, 091Sindhi, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, Kokborok
7 Mar 2026Saturday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM087Social Science
9 Mar 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM007, 016–136Regional Languages, Music, Thai

Class 10 Phase 2 Exam Schedule (May 15 to June 1, 2026)

The optional Phase 2 will cover key subjects such as Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Detailed subject-wise schedule will be published by CBSE in April 2026.

CBSE Date Sheet 2026 for Class 12

Class 12 exams will be conducted in a single phase between February 17 and April 9, 2026. Below is the detailed schedule:

Class 12 Exam Schedule (February 17 to April 9, 2026)

DateDayTimeSubject Code(s)Subject Name(s)
17 Feb 2026Tuesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM045, 066, 825, 826Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Shorthand (English, Hindi)
18 Feb 2026Wednesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM048Physical Education
20 Feb 2026Friday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM042Physics
21 Feb 2026Saturday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM054, 833Business Studies, Business Administration
23 Feb 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM037Psychology
26 Feb 2026Thursday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM029Geography
28 Feb 2026Saturday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM043Chemistry
2 Mar 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM003, 022, 031–033Urdu Elective, Sanskrit Elective, Music, Dance
9 Mar 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM041, 241Mathematics, Applied Mathematics
12 Mar 2026Thursday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM001, 301English Elective, English Core
16 Mar 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM002, 302Hindi Elective, Hindi Core
18 Mar 2026Wednesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM030Economics
23 Mar 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM028Political Science
25 Mar 2026Wednesday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM065, 083, 802Informatics Practices, Computer Science, IT
27 Mar 2026Friday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM044Biology
28 Mar 2026Saturday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM055Accountancy
30 Mar 2026Monday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM027History
4 Apr 2026Saturday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM039Sociology
9 Apr 2026Thursday10:30 AM – 1:30 PM322, 821, 844Sanskrit Core, Multimedia, Data Science

Key Highlights of CBSE Date Sheet 2026

  • Duration: Class 10 exams will run for 21 days, while Class 12 exams will stretch over 53 days.
  • Subject Grouping: Vocational and skill-based subjects are grouped on the same day for better management.
  • Stream Balance:
    • Science stream – Physics on Feb 20, Chemistry on Feb 28, Biology on Mar 27.
    • Commerce stream – Business Studies on Feb 21, Accountancy on Mar 28, Economics on Mar 18.
    • Humanities stream – Political Science on Mar 23, History on Mar 30, Sociology on Apr 4.
  • Gaps for Revision: The timetable gives students one or two days of break between core subjects.
  • International Reach: CBSE exams will be conducted in 26 foreign countries with adjustments for local time zones.

CBSE Date Sheet 2026 Complete Schedule for Class 10 and 12 Board Exams

How to Prepare Using CBSE Date Sheet 2026

The CBSE date sheet 2026 should be used as a roadmap. Here are some preparation strategies:

Subject-Wise Plan

  • Mathematics & Science: Practice NCERT daily and solve sample papers.
  • Languages: Revise grammar, comprehension, and writing skills regularly.
  • Social Science & Humanities: Focus on timelines, maps, and key events.
  • Vocational Subjects: Emphasize practical skills and case-based questions.

Create a Study Timeline

  • Finish the syllabus by January 2026.
  • Use February for revision and mock tests.
  • Focus on weak areas during exam gaps.

Health and Balance

  • Maintain 7–8 hours of sleep.
  • Take short breaks between study sessions.
  • Avoid last-minute cramming.

FAQs on CBSE Date Sheet 2026

Q1. Is the CBSE date sheet 2026 final?
No, the current version is tentative. The final date sheet will be confirmed in November 2025.

Q2. Can Class 10 students appear for Phase 2 exams directly?
Phase 2 is only for those who missed Phase 1 or want to improve their marks.

Q3. When will admit cards be available?
CBSE admit cards 2026 will be issued in January 2026 through cbse.gov.in.

Q4. What is the pass criteria for Class 10 and 12?
Students must score at least 33% marks in theory and practical combined.

Q5. Will there be COVID protocols in 2026 exams?
Mask use is optional, but sanitization and hygiene practices will continue in all centers.

The CBSE date sheet 2026 has been planned to give students enough time for preparation and reduce exam pressure. With Phase 2 options for Class 10 and balanced scheduling for Class 12, CBSE has taken a student-friendly approach. Students should download the official PDF of the date sheet from cbse.gov.in and start preparing according to the timetable. Proper planning, revision, and use of gaps between exams will help in achieving good results.

The release of the CBSE date sheet 2026 is not just about exam dates. It is a roadmap for students toward their academic goals and future careers.

To Check More Related Posts, Click Here

Leave a Comment