The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the tentative date sheet for the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams 2026. Students, parents, and schools now have a provisional roadmap to plan studies, mocks, and logistics ahead. Below is a detailed breakdown of what the schedule shows, where to download the PDF, key dates, and important points to keep in mind.
📅 Key Highlights & Exam Windows
CBSE has scheduled both Class 10 and Class 12 exams to begin on February 17, 2026.
Class 12 exams are expected to run until April 4, 2026 under the current tentative plan.
For Class 10, the board is introducing a two-phase structure:
Phase 1 from February 17 to March 9, 2026 (for all students)
Phase 2 from May 15 to June 1, 2026, for improvement / re-attempts / optional retakes.
All theory examinations will be conducted in a single shift, starting from 10:30 AM on each exam day.
CBSE has published a “Tentative Date Sheet” PDF that includes subject codes and timings. CBSE
📝 What the Tentative Date Sheet Includes
The CBSE PDF lays out subject-wise schedules, codes, and timing windows. Examples from the subjects listed:
Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Shorthand are among the first exam subjects on February 17.
For the Science stream in Class 12, tentative dates include Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Psychology, etc.
The PDF also notes exam durations (usually 3 hours) and the time slot 10:30 AM to 01:30 PM for most papers.
It also contains listings for languages, electives, vocational subjects, and less common subjects with their respective subject codes.
Because this is a tentative schedule, CBSE emphasizes that it may be revised when schools submit the final List of Candidates (LOC).
📥 How to Download the Tentative Date Sheet PDF
To access the PDF version of the tentative date sheet:
Go to the CBSE official website (cbse.gov.in).
Navigate to the “Documents / Examinations” or “Latest / Circulars / Notifications” section.
Click on “Tentative DateSheet 24092025.pdf” or related links. CBSE
Download the file and take a printout for reference.
✅ Things Students Need to Know & Plan For
This schedule is provisional. Changes may occur before the final date sheet is issued, once CBSE accepts the final student list.
Phase 2 exams for Class 10 are optional and meant for improvement / reattempts; students must decide if they want to use that option.
Practical / internal assessments (labs, projects) are likely to be scheduled before the theory exams begin, especially for science streams.
Students should plan revisions based on their subject sequence in the schedule: tougher or high-weight subjects early on should be prioritized.
Keep checking the CBSE site for updates or final revised timetable.
For exam days: arrive early, verify timings and venue, carry admit card and valid ID, and follow all exam instructions.
