The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has published the tentative date sheet for the 2026 board examinations for Classes 10 and 12.

Here’s a detailed overview of the schedule:

📅 Exam Dates & Format

The exams will commence on February 17, 2026 for both classes.

Class 10 (Secondary School Examination 2026):
  • Phase 1: February 17 to March 9, 2026
  • Phase 2 (optional for improvement / retakes): May 15 to June 1, 2026
  • Students must appear in Phase 1; Phase 2 is optional and intended for those who wish to improve their performance. 

Class 12 (Senior School Certificate Examination 2026):
  • The exams for Class 12 will run from February 17 to April 9, 2026
  • There is no dual-phase option for Class 12; exams will be held once. 

⏰ Examination Timings

Most papers are slotted from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Some subjects have shorter durations (for example 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM) depending on curricular structure. 

ℹ️ Important Notes & Context

The date sheet is tentative and subject to change. The final schedule will be released once schools submit their candidate lists. 

The dual-phase examination format for Class 10 is a new approach, providing flexibility and an opportunity to improve scores. 

It is expected that answer script evaluation will begin approximately 10 days after each exam and be completed within 12 days

About 45 lakh (4.5 million) students are expected to take these exams, including students from CBSE schools abroad.