CBSE Has Released The Official Date Sheet For Class 10 And 12 Board Exams 2026. Exams Will Start From February 17, 2026. Check Schedule Highlights, JEE Coordination Details, And New CBSE Guidelines.

CBSE Announces 2026 Board Exam Dates for Class 10 and 12

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced that the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations for 2026 will begin on February 17, 2026. This announcement was made through a circular dated October 30, 2025, issued to all principals and heads of CBSE-affiliated schools across India.

In a first-of-its-kind move, CBSE has released the date sheet 110 days before the commencement of exams to help students, parents, and schools plan their academic activities efficiently and reduce examination-related stress.

Early Release of the Date Sheet

According to the circular, CBSE finalized the schedule after receiving the List of Candidates (LOC) from all schools. A tentative version was earlier released on September 24, 2025, approximately 146 days before the start of the exams. This early timeline allows stakeholders to make necessary academic and logistical arrangements well in advance.

• Students can begin their preparations early and manage time effectively.
• Families and teachers can plan their schedules, vacations, and evaluation duties conveniently.
• Schools can organize internal assessments and annual activities without disruptions.

Key Highlights and Guidelines

While preparing the 2026 exam schedule, CBSE considered several important aspects to ensure smooth conduct of examinations:

1. Sufficient Gaps Between Exams: Adequate time has been allotted between major papers to help students revise thoroughly.
2. Coordination with Entrance Exams: The timetable ensures that students appearing for entrance tests like JEE (Main) can complete their board exams comfortably beforehand.
3. Teacher Convenience: Teachers will not have to stay away from schools for an extended period during evaluation, reducing academic loss for non-board classes.
4. Avoiding Subject Overlaps: Over 40,000 subject combinations were analyzed to avoid clashes between subjects in both classes.
5. Exam Timings: All exams will begin at 10:30 AM.

Benefits of Early Announcement

CBSE outlined several advantages of releasing the date sheet four months before the exam period:

• Students will be able to start focused preparation, minimizing anxiety and improving performance.
• Teachers and families can plan the evaluation and vacation schedules effectively.
• Schools will have ample time to plan for the examination process and other school activities.
• Exam centres can make logistical arrangements smoothly and without last-minute pressure.

JEE (Main) and CBSE Exam Coordination

To avoid overlap between CBSE Board Examinations and JEE (Main), the National Testing Agency (NTA) will now require the Class 11 registration number of students while filling the JEE (Main) application form. Schools have been directed to share these registration numbers with their students to ensure proper coordination and prevent scheduling conflicts.

Accessing the Official Date Sheet

The official CBSE date sheets for both Class 10 and Class 12 can be accessed and downloaded directly from the CBSE’s official website:

https://www.cbse.gov.in

CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026

Note:
1. Important instructions will be issued separately.
2. Read the instructions given in the Admit Card.
3. It is mandatory to follow all instructions issued by the CBSE.
4. No communication devices are allowed inside the examination centre.

CBSE Class 12 (Senior School Certificate) Date Sheet 2026

Note:
1. Important instructions will be issued separately.
2. Read the instructions given in the Admit Card.
3. Follow all directions issued by CBSE at the examination centre.
4. Communication devices are not allowed inside the examination centre.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 for the Senior School Certificate Examinations. As per the notification, the CBSE Board Exams 2026 for Class 12 will begin from February 17, 2026 and continue till April 9, 2026. Students can now check the detailed timetable for all major and elective subjects below.

This year, CBSE has taken a proactive step by releasing the timetable almost four months in advance. This early release will help students plan their revision strategy, reduce exam pressure, and balance preparation for both board and entrance examinations such as JEE (Main), CUET UG, and NEET UG 2026.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2026 Highlights

• Exam Conducting Authority: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
• Class: 12 (Senior School Certificate)
• Session: 2025–26
• Exam Dates: February 17 – April 9, 2026
• Exam Timing: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM (occasionally 12:30 PM for skill subjects)
• Official Website: www.cbse.gov.in

Important Instructions for Students

• Students must carry their CBSE Admit Card 2026 to the examination centre.
• All candidates must reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the start of the paper.
• No communication devices (mobile phones, smartwatches, or calculators) are allowed inside the exam hall.
• Follow the guidelines printed on the admit card and the instructions issued by the CBSE invigilators.
• The duration of each exam is mentioned on the question paper. Students must read the question paper for the first 15 minutes before writing.

CBSE Board Exam 2026 Preparation Tips

With the complete CBSE Class 12 timetable now available, students should focus on:

• Creating a realistic study plan covering all subjects with sufficient revision time.
• Practising previous-year CBSE question papers and sample papers.
• Using NCERT textbooks for conceptual clarity and regular mock tests for time management.
• Maintaining a balanced routine that includes proper rest and short breaks during study sessions.

CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet PDF Download

Students can download the official CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 PDF directly from the CBSE website: https://www.cbse.gov.in.

The CBSE has once again emphasized that all schools and examination centres must strictly adhere to the instructions issued in the circular to ensure a smooth and fair conduct of the examinations.