CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has released the tentative date sheet for the Class 12 board examinations 2026, providing students, parents and schools with an early roadmap for their preparation. As per the schedule, both Class 10 and Class 12 exams will begin on February 17, 2026, and conclude by April 4, 2026 for the senior classes. However, CBSE has clarified that these dates are tentative and subject to change after schools submit their final candidate lists.
📆 Key Timeline & Exam Duration
Exam Period: February 17, 2026 to April 4, 2026 (for Class 12)Â
Daily Exam Timing: All exams are scheduled in a single shift, beginning at 10:30 am on each day.
Class 10 Exams: Also start on February 17 and will run till around March 18 (tentatively)Â
Evaluation Schedule: CBSE plans that marking/answer-script evaluation will start approximately 10 days after each paper, and finishing within 12 days of that paper’s date.Â
đź“‘ Subject-wise Highlights for Class 12
While the full subject-wise timetable is extensive, here are some key observations from the tentative schedule:
Starting Subject (Day 1): Students of Class 12 may see Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship or Shorthand / Electives appear early on February 17 as per initial notification.Â
Spacing Between Core Subjects: CBSE aims to space major subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology to give adequate revision time in between.Â
Practical / Internal Assessments: The board is likely to schedule practicals (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) beforetheir theory exams to avoid clash.Â
Elective & Vocational Subjects: These are planned later in the schedule so they don’t conflict with major subject papers.
For example, JagranJosh’s interpretation of the tentative datesheet mentions that CBSE will conduct all papers in a single shift of 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.Â
⚠️ What “Tentative” Means & Caveats
The schedule is provisional: CBSE may revise dates depending on logistics, final candidate lists, or administrative adjustments.Â
Final date sheet will be published after schools submit the list of candidates (LOC).Â
Students should treat this as a planning tool, but stay alert for any official changes.
🧠What Students Should Do Now
With this tentative schedule in hand, here are practical steps students should follow:
Mark the dates early on your calendar so you know how much time you have for each subject’s revision zone.
Plan subject-wise revision prioritizing subjects scheduled earlier in the exam timetable.
Allocate buffer days for harder or technical subjects (e.g. Mathematics, Physics).
Complete practical / lab work early, as practical exams may precede theory papers.
Watch for the final date sheet from CBSE’s official website (cbse.gov.in) to confirm.
Manage time during exams: since all exams are in one shift, ensure you’re well rested and ready by 10:30 am each day.
đź“Ś Sample Tentative Snapshot (from resources)
Here’s a small excerpt from the tentative CBSE 2026 schedule as shared by JagranJosh:
| Date | Time | Subject / Subject Code |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2026 | 10:30 am – 1:30 pm | Class 12: Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Shorthand / Electives |
| Feb 18, 2026 | 10:30 am – 1:30 pm | Physical Education, Vocational & Electives |
| … | … | … |
| End date for Class 12 | April 4, 2026 | Final theory exams as per tentative schedule |
Again, these are tentative pointers; check the official released PDF when available.
🧾 Why This Early Release Matters
Better Planning: Students can begin mapping out their revision, mock tests, and subject ordering.
School & Teacher Coordination: Schools can allocate teaching time, labs, and resources accordingly.
Stress Reduction: Knowing the broad schedule in advance reduces uncertainty.
Logistics Ready: CBSE, exam centres, transport, evaluation teams get time to gear up.
CBSE expects about 45 lakh students to take the board exams 2026 across India and abroad in 204 subjects.Â
âś… Conclusion
The tentative CBSE Class 12 board exam schedule 2026 is now out, with exams running from February 17 to April 4, held in a single shift starting at 10:30 am. While this gives a helpful blueprint for students to plan their studies, it is essential to remember that this is not the final schedule — CBSE may adjust it later. Students should begin revising with this timeline in mind, but keep an eye on official updates from CBSE for any changes.
Would you like me to prepare a PDF version of the tentative Class 12 schedule plus a printable revision calendar for your board prep?
