CBSE Board Exam Time Table 2026: Class 10 & 12 Date Sheet PDF Download
Quick Navigation
CBSE 2026 Board Exam Calendar Guide
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will host the Class 10 and Class 12 theory board exams starting in mid-February 2026. Knowing the tentative schedule early allows you to structure your revision stages, clear backlogs, and plan mock tests. Read this guide to find the expected exam dates and useful study management tools.
Tentative CBSE Date Sheet 2026
Expected schedule based on CBSE's traditional dates:
| Tentative Exam Date | Class 10 Paper | Class 12 Paper |
|---|---|---|
| February 15, 2026 | Vocational Electives | Minor subjects / Skills |
| February 22, 2026 | English Language & Lit. | English Core |
| March 2, 2026 | Science (Theory) | Physics |
| March 10, 2026 | Social Science | Chemistry / Business Studies |
| March 18, 2026 | Mathematics (Basic/Standard) | Mathematics / History |
| March 25, 2026 | Hindi Course A/B | Biology / Accountancy |
Meeting the Attendance Criteria and Managing Revision
Before the board exams, make sure you meet CBSE's mandatory 75% attendance rule. Use our free tool to check your eligibility buffer. If you have missed chapters, use the Backlog Planner to schedule daily revision sessions.
Use the Attendance Calculator to verify your eligibility status
Create a Custom Revision Plan with the Backlog Planner Tool
3. CBSE Practical Exam Schedule 2026
CBSE Practical Exams are conducted before the theory board exams and carry significant marks. Missing practicals means losing guaranteed marks:
| Exam Type | Schedule (Tentative) | Marks | Conducted By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 12 Practicals (Science) | January 1 – February 14, 2026 | 30 marks per science subject | School with External CBSE Examiner |
| Class 12 Practicals (Commerce/Humanities) | January 1 – February 14, 2026 | 20 marks per subject | School level |
| Class 10 Practicals (Science) | January 1 – February 14, 2026 | 20 marks | School level with internal assessment |
| Internal Assessments (All Classes) | October 2025 – January 2026 | 20 marks per subject | School teacher assessment |
- Practical Viva Preparation: Prepare standard answers for 10 common viva questions per subject. For Physics: measurement principle, sources of error, precautions. For Chemistry: safety precautions, observations, inference. For Biology: slide preparation technique, diagram identification.
- Practical Journal Submission: Your practical journal must be complete, neat, and signed by your teacher before the external examiner's visit. Incomplete journals can result in mark deductions even if your experiment performance is good.
4. CBSE Admit Card (Hall Ticket) Guidelines 2026
- Release Date: CBSE admit cards for Class 10 and 12 are typically released in the first week of February 2026 on the official CBSE website (cbse.gov.in). Download via your school's CBSE Login credentials.
- What to Check on Admit Card: Verify your full name spelling (must exactly match your Aadhaar), date of birth, roll number, subject codes, and examination centre address. Report any discrepancy to your school principal within 48 hours of download.
- Documents to Carry on Exam Day: (1) Printed CBSE Admit Card (not a photocopy or screenshot), (2) Valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar card preferred), (3) School ID card.
- If Admit Card is Lost: Contact your school immediately. Schools can reprint admit cards via the CBSE institutional login. Do not attempt to appear in the exam without a valid admit card — you will be denied entry.
- Exam Centre Verification: Visit your exam centre 2–3 days before your first exam to confirm the exact location, gate entry rules, and reporting time. Many students lose precious time on exam day due to unfamiliar routes.
Verify Your Attendance Eligibility Before Board Exams
Create a Custom Board Exam Revision Plan with the Backlog Planner Tool
Conclusion
Monitor cbse.gov.in weekly for official date sheet releases. Complete your practical journals and attend all practical sessions (January–February) as they contribute 20–30 marks per subject. Download your admit card in the first week of February and verify all details immediately. Keep taking mock tests, and use LearnTube's ad-free player to revise without distractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the official CBSE 2026 date sheet be released?
The official Class 10 and 12 date sheet is expected to be released in the last week of December 2025 or early January 2026.
How can I calculate my attendance eligibility for board exams?
You can input your attended and conducted classes in our Attendance Calculator under '/tools/attendance-calculator' to check if you cross 75%.
Is there a gap between major papers in CBSE exams?
Yes, CBSE usually provides 3 to 6 days gap between major academic papers (like Physics, Chemistry, and Math) to allow students adequate revision time.