CBSE Class 10, 12 board exam 2026 begins today under new format; over 4.5 million to appear

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will commence the CBSE Class 10, 12 board exams 2026 today, with over 45 lakh students appearing under the new exam and assessment framework. The CBSE board exams 2026, one of the largest school-level exams globally, will be conducted at more than 8,000 exam centres across India and 26 other countries. CBSE Board Exam 2026 LIVE

The CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026 will be held twice from this year onwards. A total of 25,08,319 (25 lakh) students will appear for the Class 10 board exam under the new format. While 18,59,551 (18.59 lakh) students will sit for the CBSE Class 12 exams.

A day before the exam, the board clarified that it is mandatory for all Class 10 students to appear for the first board exam.

CBSE board 2026 exam timings

As per the CBSE board exam date sheet 2026, phase 1 of Class 10 exams 2026 will be conducted from February 17 to March 11 and Class 12 from February 17 to April 10. Moreover, the board will administer exams for sports students, the second Class 10 board exam, and supplementary exams by July 15.

Students of both classes will appear for the CBSE board exams 2026 from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. Entry gates will be closed at 10 am, and students arriving after the closing time will not be allowed to sit for the exam, the board said.

CBSE Class 10, 12 question papers will be distributed at 10.15 am, allowing 15 minutes of reading time for students. On the first day, Class 10 students will appear for the mathematics standard and mathematics basic papers and Class 12 students will appear for biotechnology, entrepreneurship, shorthand English and Hindi.

Also read CBSE adopts new re-evaluation process, split Class 10 science question papers; will test on-screen marking

How many will appear for CBSE board exam 2026

Number of candidates appearing for the CBSE Class 10 and 12 board exams 2026.

Also read CBSE Class 12 practical exams 2026 from February 23 for private students; marks to be uploaded on same day

“As a general guideline, evaluation of answer scripts will commence approximately 10 days after the conduct of each subject's examination and will be completed within 12 days. For instance, if the Class XII Physics examination is scheduled for 20th February 2026, evaluation is likely to begin on 3rd March 2026 and conclude by 15th March 2026,” the board said.