Big Move! CBSE Class X & XII Board Exams 2026 from Feb 17, date sheet released; check full details

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday officially released the date sheet for the 2026 Class X and XII board examinations, announcing that the exams will commence from February 17, 2026.

This marks a historic move by the Board as, for the first time, the date sheets have been issued 110 days before the start of the examinations — the earliest ever in CBSE’s history. The announcement aims to provide students, parents, and schools ample time for preparation and planning.

According to the notification issued by Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, the early release was made possible due to the timely submission of the List of Candidates (LOC) by affiliated schools. A tentative date sheet had already been shared on September 24, 2025, 146 days prior to the examination start date.

Also Read: CBSE Board Exam 2026: Latest notice for Class 10, 12 students out; check here

Two Board Exams from 2026

In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, CBSE reaffirmed that from 2026 there will be two Board Examinations every academic year for Class X and XII students. The initiative is expected to reduce exam stress and improve flexibility in learning and assessment.

Key Dates

Exams Begin: February 17, 2026
Exam Timing: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Class X Subjects: English, Science, Mathematics, Hindi, Social Science, Sanskrit, Computer Applications, Music, and Vocational Papers.

Class XII Subjects: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Political Science, History, Computer Science, and others.

The Board has ensured that no two major subject exams overlap for any student, analyzing more than 40,000 subject combinations while preparing the schedule.

Benefits of Early Announcement

•    The CBSE highlighted several advantages of releasing the schedule early:
•    Students can prepare well in advance, reducing exam anxiety.
•    Families and teachers can plan summer vacations and evaluation duties accordingly.
•    Schools will have sufficient time to organize classes and manage exam centre activities.
•    JEE (Main) Aspirants will benefit as CBSE has coordinated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) to avoid clashes between Board and entrance exams.
•    Schools have also been directed to provide Class XI registration numbers to students applying for JEE (Main) to ensure smooth coordination.