Board Exam 2026: CBSE issues fresh guidelines for Class 10, 12 exams and more

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released revised guidelines for the 2025-26 board examinations. Submission of the List of Candidates (LOC) is the most crucial step for Class 10 and 12 exams. 

In its latest circular, CBSE said the instructions are divided into four parts for clarity. Principals have been asked to read each part carefully and act on time. An earlier advisory dated July 30, 2025, had already asked schools to collect accurate data and subject combinations in advance.

Two-Board Examination For Class 10

This year marks the start of the two-board examination system for Class 10. The change was announced through a CBSE circular on June 26, 2025. The main examination in mid-February 2026 is compulsory for all students. Schools must therefore file the LOC for every candidate. A second LOC window will open later for students who wish to appear in the May session.

Mandatory APAAR ID Validation

CBSE has made APAAR IDs compulsory for Class 10 and 12 candidates in India. The LOC will be blocked without APAAR linkage, the ID will be validated at submission. Schools outside India are exempt due to local regulations.

Verification Slips And CWSN Data

Schools must also generate a candidate-wise verification slip. This will allow corrections in names, dates of birth and subject codes from October 13 to 27. After the deadline, no changes will be accepted. 

Details of children with special needs (CWSN) must also be uploaded with the LOC. This will ensure automatic exam relaxations. CBSE has clarified that no candidate can be added to the CWSN category later.

School Responsibilities And Schedule

Schools are required to upload clear photographs of all candidates, including those from earlier batches who do not have Class 9 or 11 records. They must ensure subject codes are entered correctly and maintain proper teacher–student ratios for evaluation duties. 

Only teachers currently handling Classes 9–10 or 11–12 will be eligible to be listed as evaluators. The board has confirmed that examinations for both Classes 10 and 12 will be conducted in the summer of 2026 under the revised framework.