CBSE Date Sheet 2026 Released: Class 10 & 12 Board Exams Start Feb 17. Download PDF!

The BIGGEST Change: Two Board Exams for Class 10 in 2026

The most significant announcement from the official CBSE circular confirms the answer to "Are there two board exams in 2026 CBSE?". **Yes, for Class 10, there will be.**

As per the official circular, "in 2026, CBSE will conduct two Board examinations for Class X as per the recommendations made in NEP-2020."

This is a major step in aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP-2020), which aims to reduce student stress and provide two opportunities to perform well. While the exact format (e.g., whether both exams will be mandatory, how marks will be combined) is yet to be detailed, this is a confirmed development for the 2026 batch. Class 12 will continue with the single annual exam format for now.

Key Instructions & Guidelines from the Official Circular

The CBSE circular (No. CBSE/Date Sheet/X-XII/2025-26) outlines several important points for students, schools, and families:

• Sufficient Gaps: The board has carefully designed the date sheet to avoid clashes for over 40,000 subject combinations, ensuring sufficient gaps between popular subjects.
• Space for Entrance Exams: The Class 12 exams are scheduled to end on April 9, 2026, well before major entrance exams like JEE Main, allowing students to focus on both.
• Crucial Update for JEE Main 2026 Aspirants: To prevent any date clashes, the NTA (National Testing Agency) will now require students to fill in their **Class 11 Registration Number** in the JEE application form. All students are advised to get this number from their schools.
• Exam Start Time: All examinations will begin promptly at **10:30 AM (IST)**.

Benefits of Releasing the Date Sheet 110 Days Early

This is the first time CBSE has released the final date sheet so far in advance. The board has stated this will have several benefits:

1. **For Students:** You can start your preparation and revision well in advance, which will help reduce exam anxiety and improve your final performance.
2. **For Families:** You can now plan your summer travel and functions without conflicting with exam dates or evaluation schedules.
3. **For Schools:** Teachers will not be away for long periods during evaluation, ensuring that the studies of non-board classes (like 9th and 11th) are not hampered.

CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 (Official & Final)

Here is the complete and unabridged date sheet for the Secondary School Main Examination 2026. All exams begin at 10:30 AM.

CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 (Official & Final)

The Class 12 exams also begin on February 17, 2026, and will conclude on April 9, 2026. The board has ensured significant gaps between major papers for Science (Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology), Commerce (Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics), and Arts (History, Pol. Science, Psychology, Sociology) streams.

How to Prepare for CBSE Boards: A Strategy for 95%+

With the date sheet in hand, your preparation now has a clear deadline. Here are some proven strategies for both Class 10 and Class 12 students to aim for that 95% mark.

For Class 10 Students (How to score 99% in Class 10)

Scoring at the top in Class 10 is all about precision, consistency, and mastering the fundamentals. Here is your 5-step plan:

• Master NCERT, Line by Line: The NCERT textbook is your bible. 100% of the questions will come from the concepts within it. Know every line, diagram, in-text question, and "blue box" fact.
• Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs): This is non-negotiable. Solve at least the last 10 years of PYQs to understand the exact pattern and the most-repeated questions.
• Practice Official Sample Papers: Once you are done with the syllabus, solve the official CBSE sample papers and other mock tests under strict 3-hour timed conditions. This builds speed and exam temperament.
• Focus on Presentation: Learn how to write answers as per the CBSE marking scheme. Use bullet points, highlight keywords, and draw clean diagrams. Look at topper answer sheets to see how they write.
• Be Consistent: Two hours of focused study every single day is far more effective than 10 hours of cramming one day before the exam.

For Class 12 Students (How to score 95 in Class 12)

Class 12 requires a deeper level of conceptual clarity, especially in the Science and Commerce streams.

"To get 90% in Class 12, you can't just memorize; you must understand. Your concepts in Physics, Maths, Chemistry, and Accountancy must be crystal clear."

• Depth over Breadth: First, finish your NCERT to build a strong foundation. Then, pick *one* good reference book per subject (like R.D. Sharma for Maths or T.S. Grewal for Accounts) and stick to it. Don't use 5 different books.
• **Practice Answer Writing:** For subjects like English, Political Science, and History, your marks depend on *how* you write. Practice writing long-form, well-structured answers with clear headings and introductions/conclusions.
• **Numerical & Derivation Practice:** For Science students, create a separate notebook for all important derivations, formulas, and named reactions. Practice numericals daily.
• **Time-Bound Mock Tests:** The Class 12 paper is lengthy. You MUST practice finishing full-length mock tests in 3 hours. This is the single most important skill to develop after completing your syllabus.

CBSE 2026: All Your Questions Answered (FAQ)

Exam Confirmation & Dates

New Rules & Exam Difficulty

Scoring, Grades & Passing Marks

Preparation Strategy

Technical & General Questions