For the 2026 board exams, CBSE has published the complete exam schedule about five months ahead of time (146 days before the exams begin), which is far sooner than is customary.
First phase of exams: February 17 to March 6, 2026
Second phase of exams: May 15 to June 1, 2026
However, because certain crucial topics are scheduled so closely together, students have less time to prepare between significant papers, which has caused parents and students to express concerns.
For the 2026 CBSE Board Exams:
Class 10 exams will run from February 17 to March 18, 2026.
Class 12 exams will also begin on February 17, 2026, but they’ll continue longer, ending on April 4, 2026.
So, both classes start on the same day, but Class 12 exams stretch about two and a half weeks longer than Class 10. In 2026, around 45 lakh students are expected to appear for CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board exams.
Exams will cover 204 subjects in total, not just in India but also in 26 countries abroad where CBSE schools are located. Both Class 10 and Class 12 exams will be held in one shift only on exam days — starting at 10:30 am.The timetable released is still tentative, meaning CBSE may revise or update it later if needed.
Guidelines for examining response sheets have been established by CBSE. About ten days following an exam, the evaluation will begin, and it will be completed in twelve days.
Evaluation Period:
If February 20, 2026, is the date of the Class 12 Physics exam, Most likely, the inspection will begin on March 3, 2026 and complete by March 15, 2026.
You can read the complete datesheet here.