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CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2026: The board exam season begins today, February 17, with lakhs of students from India and overseas taking the Class 10 and Class 12 exams administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and various state education boards.
According to CBSE data, a total of 25,08,319 students will take Class 10 examinations in 83 subjects at 8,075 venues. There are 14,08,546 male candidates and 10,99,773 female candidates. For Class 12, 18,59,551 applicants will take exams in 120 disciplines at 7,574 centers. The Class 12 cohort consists of 10,27,552 male candidates and 8,31,999 female candidates. This year, the two classes collectively account for more than 43.6 lakh candidates.
Examinations will be conducted in a single shift from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Entry to examination centres will close at 10 am, and students have been advised to report at least 25–30 minutes in advance to avoid last-minute inconvenience.
For Class 10 pupils, the first paper is Mathematics (Basic and Standard). The first examination for Class 12 pupils covers Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, and Shorthand (in English and Hindi).
This year’s examination cycle includes important procedural and structural changes, such as the mandatory first attempt rule under the new dual-exam system for Class 10, traffic advisories in certain sections of Delhi, and the use of digital evaluation for Class 12.
CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2026: What every candidates needs to follow
CBSE has reiterated that students are required to carry a hard copy of their admit card on every examination day. Without the admit card, entry into the examination hall will not be permitted. Students must also wear proper school uniform and carry their school identity card.
Electronic devices such as mobile phones, smart watches, and other communication devices are strictly prohibited. Candidates discovered in possession of such things will be denied the opportunity to take the examination.
Students must bring their own stationery, as borrowing or sharing materials is not permitted within the examination hall. Transparent water bottles are acceptable.
Candidates will have 15 minutes to read the question paper before writing begins. Only blue or black pens can be used to write answers in the answer booklet.
CBSE has also advised students and parents not to believe social media speculations about paper leaks or unofficial question predictions. Candidates are recommended to depend solely on official communications published by the Board.
Class 10 Dual Board Exams: First attempt is mandatory
From 2026, CBSE has introduced a dual-board examination structure for Class 10 in line with recommendations under the National Education Policy 2020.
The Board has reiterated that all Class 10 students must take the first board test.
Students who do not present in at least three subjects on their first exam will be placed in the “Essential Repeat” category. Such pupils will be barred from taking the second examination and must reapply in the main exams held in February the following year.
Students who pass the first examination may enhance their performance in up to three topics — Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages — on the second examination.
Those who were put in the compartment category in the first exam will be allowed to take the second exam according to compartment guidelines.
CBSE has further underlined that after graduating Class 10, no extra subjects or stand-alone subjects will be accepted. Requests for an exception from the first try requirement will not be considered.
Class 12 Evaluation Reform: On-Screen Marking (OSM) to be introduced
This year’s primary change is the introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 board exams.
This technology eliminates the need for human evaluation of physical answer books at designated centers. Instead, answer papers will be scanned page by page and stored on a secure digital platform. Examiners will log in with secure credentials and analyze responses straight on the screen.
With 18,59,551 Class 12 applicants and more than 10 crore answer booklets likely to be handled, the Board noted that the magnitude of operations, including examination sites abroad, necessitated the transition to digital evaluation.
Every page, including blank ones, will be scanned to ensure transparency. The system will not allow you to submit a script until all of the questions have been marked. If a question is not attempted, indicate it as ‘NA’ before submitting.
The Board noted that the move is intended to reduce errors, eliminate disparities in mark uploads, improve monitoring, and expedite the result declaration procedure.
CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2026: Important instructions for students under OSM
Students must answer questions in the correct order and within the designated sections. Writing replies outside of designated spaces may influence evaluation during digital scanning.
CBSE has stressed that the digital system is intended to prevent post-result verification requests and evaluation errors.
Students must answer strictly question-wise and within designated sections. Writing responses outside of designated spaces may influence evaluation during digital scanning.
CBSE has stated that the digital system is intended to eliminate post-result verification requests and evaluation errors.
Source: IE
