CBSE Board Exam 2026 LIVE: Class 10, 12 exams ends; paper analysis, test pattern, marking scheme
Sakshi Gupta | February 22, 2026 | 08:22 AM IST | 13 mins read
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Class 10 and 12 exams conducted from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Updates on sample question papers, pattern, guidelines, marking scheme, datesheet, syllabus, and other details.
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Check NowCBSE Board Exam 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has concluded CBSE Class 10 English and Class 12 fashion studies and automotive exams. The CBSE board conducted the 10th and 12th exams from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm in 8,000 exam centres across India and 26 foreign countries. According to the CBSE Class 10 English analysis, the paper was easy to moderate in difficulty, well-structured, and focused on testing students’ understanding and skills.
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Most students found the grammar section manageable, but some found the reported speech question a bit difficult. The teachers also noticed a minor punctuation error in one question, which may have confused some students for a while. Overall, the CBSE Class 10 English section was well-balanced and followed the recommended syllabus.
As the CBSE Class 10 English exam ends, students will have access to the unofficial answer keys and question papers with solutions for probable score evaluation. To pass the CBSE board exam 2026, students have to score at least 33% marks in each subject, including theory, practical, and internal assessments. They need a minimum Grade D and must pass both theory and practicals separately in subjects that have practical exams.
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CBSE Board Exams 2026: Guidelines
Exam-day instructions for the CBSE Board exams in 2026 for both Class 10th and 12th.
- Students must arrive at the location at least 30 to 45 minutes before the reporting time.
- After the designated reporting time, students won't be permitted to enter the test room.
- Applicants must present their CBSE-issued admit cards.
- Students will not be permitted to take the test if they do not have a valid hall ticket.
- 15 minutes prior to the start of the paper, question sheets and answer booklets will be distributed.
- Students should read the question paper carefully and complete the necessary information during this time.
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Grace marks policy
The board may award grace marks to students who fall short of passing marks by just one mark. According to CBSE regulations, the student would not be entitled to grace marks if the deficit is greater than one mark.
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February 22, 2026 | 08:22 AM IST
CBSE Class 10 grammar question paper analysis
Most students said that the grammar section was easy to handle, although some found the reported speech question a bit difficult. The teachers also pointed out a minor punctuation error in one question, which might have confused some students briefly. Overall, the CBSE Class 10 English section was balanced and based on the prescribed syllabus.
February 22, 2026 | 07:23 AM IST
CBSE Class 10 English analysis
As per the CBSE Class 10 English analysis, students said the paper was easy to moderate in difficulty, well-structured, and focused on testing their understanding and skills.
February 22, 2026 | 06:30 AM IST
CBSE Class 12th exam mandatory documents
Students are advised to carry the following mandatory documents for the CBSE 2026 Class 12th exam:
- Carry a printed copy of the CBSE 2026 admit card bearing the school principal’s signature, and soft copies will not be allowed.
- Regular candidates must bring their official school identity card for verification.
February 22, 2026 | 05:30 AM IST
Candidates ask "What is CBSE On-Screen Marking?"
The CBSE introduced the On-Screen Marking (OSM), a digital evaluation system, where scanned answer sheets are checked online rather than physically. The CBSE On-Screen Marking is announced for the Class 12 board exams starting in 2026.
February 22, 2026 | 04:30 AM IST
CBSE Board exam dates 2026 for Class 12th, 10th
The CBSE will conduct Class 12th exams till April 10, and 10th exams will be conducted twice a year, first phase till March 10, and the second phase will start on May 15 to June 1.
February 22, 2026 | 03:30 AM IST
CBSE Class 10 passing marks
To pass CBSE Class 10th exams, students must secure a minimum of 33% marks in each subject, calculated by combining marks from theory, practical, and internal assessments.
February 22, 2026 | 02:30 AM IST
CBSE Class 12 2026: Which exam tomorrow?
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct the CBSE Class 12 board exam for Mass Media Studies, Design Thinking & Innovation paper tomorrow, February 23.
|
Exam Dates |
Subjects |
|
February 21 |
Automotive, Fashion Studies |
|
February 23 |
Mass Media Studies, Design Thinking & Innovation |
|
February 24 |
Accountancy |
|
February 25 |
Beauty & Wellness, Typography & Computer Application |
|
February 26 |
Geography |
|
February 27 |
Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, Applied Art (Commercial Art) |
|
February 28 |
Chemistry |
|
March 2 |
Urdu Elective, Sanskrit Elective, Carnatic Music Vocal, Carnatic Music Mel Ins, Carnatic Music Per Ins Mridangam, Kathak Dance, Urdu Core, Front Office Operations, Insurance, Geospatial Technology, Electrical Technology |
|
March 5 |
Psychology |
|
March 6 |
Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Sindhi, Marathi, Gujarati, Manipuri, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, Arabic, Tibetan, German, Russian, Persian, Nepali, Limbo, Lepcha, Telugu Telangana, Bodo, Tangkhul, Japanese, Bhutia, Spanish, Kashmiri, Mizo |
|
March 7 |
Yoga, Electronics & Hardware |
|
March 9 |
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics |
|
March 10 |
Food production, Office Procedures and Practices, Library & Information Science, Early Childhood Care & Education |
|
March 11 |
Hindustani Music MEL & PER INS, Healthcare, Design |
|
March 12 |
English Elective, English Core |
|
March 13 |
Tourism, Air-conditioning & refrigeration |
|
March 14 |
Home Science |
|
March 16 |
Hindi elective and Hindi core |
|
March 17 |
Hindustani Music Vocal |
|
March 18 |
Economics |
|
March 19 |
Physical Activity Trainer |
|
March 20 |
Marketing |
|
March 23 |
Political Science |
|
March 24 |
Retail, Artificial Intelligence |
|
March 25 |
Informatics Practices, Computer Science, Information Technology |
|
March 27 |
Biology |
|
March 28 |
Business Studies & Business Administration |
February 22, 2026 | 01:30 AM IST
CBSE Class 10th 2026: Two board exams
The CBSE has declared that it will conduct the Class 10 board exam twice from 2026 – first phase from February 17 to March 6 and second phase from May 5 to May 20 – for over 20 lakh students.
February 22, 2026 | 12:30 AM IST
CBSE Class 12 English difficulty level
According to the students' reaction, the CBSE Class 12 English exam generally falls in the easy to moderate difficulty range, often considered a balanced paper.
February 21, 2026 | 11:30 PM IST
Candidates ask "What is CBSE 2026 on-screen marking scheme?"
The CBSE has implemented on-screen marking for evaluating Class 12 board exam answer sheets, and it has been clarified that Class 10 answer scripts will continue to be assessed in the traditional physical mode.
February 21, 2026 | 09:30 PM IST
CBSE Date Sheet 2026 Class 10: Phase 2
Students can check the CBSE Date Sheet 2026 Class 10 Phase 2 below:
|
Date |
Subject Name |
|
May 15 |
Mathematics Standard & Mathematics Basic |
|
May 16 |
Compartment Subjects |
|
May 18 |
Compartment Subjects |
|
May 19 |
Science |
|
May 20 |
Compartment Subjects |
|
May 21 |
Compartment Subjects |
|
May 22 |
Social Science |
|
May 23 |
Compartment Subjects |
|
May 25 |
Compartment Subjects |
|
May 26 |
Language |
|
May 28 |
Compartment Subjects |
February 21, 2026 | 08:30 PM IST
CBSE Class 10th exams phase 1
Students can check the CBSE Board 10th time table for both phase 1 exams shown below.
|
Date |
Subject Name |
|
February 21 |
English (Communicative) & English (Language and Literature) |
|
February 23 |
Urdu Course-A, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Manipuri, Telugu, Telangana |
|
February 24 |
Elements of Business, Urdu Course-B |
|
February 25 |
Science |
|
February 26 |
Retail, Security, Automotive, Introduction to Fin. Markets, Introduction to Tourism, Agriculture, Food Production, Front Office Operations, Banking & Insurance, Health Care, Apparel, Multi-Media, Data Science, Electronics & Hardware, Foundation Skill for Sciences, Design Thinking & Innovation |
|
February 27 |
Computer Applications, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence |
|
February 28 |
Arabic, Sanskrit (Communicative), Sanskrit, Rai, Gurung, Tamang, Sherpa, |
|
March 2 |
Hindi Course-A & Hindi Course-B |
|
March 5 |
Sindhi, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, Kokborok |
|
March 6 |
Painting |
|
March 7 |
Social Science |
|
March 9 |
Telugu, Arabic, Russian, Persian, Nepali, Limbu, Lepcha, Carnatic Music (Vocal), Carnatic Music Mel Ins., Carnatic Music Per. Ins., Hindustani Music Vocal, Hindustani Music (Mel Ins), Hindustani Music (Per Ins), Thai |
|
March 10 |
French |
|
March 3 |
Tibetan, German, National Cadet Corps, Bhoti, Bodo, Tangkhul, Japanese, Bhutia, Spanish, Kashmiri, Mizo, Bahasa Melayu, Elements of Business, Elements of Book Keeping & Accountancy |
February 21, 2026 | 07:19 PM IST
CBSE Board Exam 2026: Feb 21 ended
The Central Board of Secondary Education has concluded CBSE Class 10 English and Class 12 fashion studies and automotive exams. The board conducted the 10th and 12th exams from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.
February 21, 2026 | 06:21 PM IST
CBSE Class 12 Board Exam: Total marks
Students can check the distribution of marks from the table given below.
|
Type of Questions
|
No. of Questions
|
Total Marks
|
|
1 Mark Questions
|
16 | 16 |
|
2 Mark Questions
|
5 | 10 |
|
3 Mark Questions
|
7 | 21 |
|
4 Marks Questions
|
2 | 8 |
|
5 Mark Questions
|
3 | 15 |
|
Total
|
33
|
70
|
February 21, 2026 | 05:44 PM IST
Which CBSE Class 10 exam tomorrow?
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will not conduct any exam for CBSE Class 10 tomorrow. The board will now conduct an exam for regional languages and vocational subjects, including Urdu Course-A, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Manipuri, and Telugu-Telangana on February 23, 2026.
February 21, 2026 | 05:00 PM IST
CBSE Board Exam 2026 in two phases?
The board has made an important change in the Class 12 board exams for the academic year 2026-27. The CBSE will administer the class 12th exams till April 10, and the 10th exams will be conducted twice a year, first phase till March 10, and the second phase will start on May 15 to June 1.
February 21, 2026 | 04:35 PM IST
CBSE Class 10th 2026: Reading comprehension was easy and direct
One of the students mentioned that the first reading comprehension passage of the CBSE Class 10 English board exam 2026 was moderately critical and required careful understanding and analysis and the second passage in the English paper was easy and direct with case-based questions.
February 21, 2026 | 03:54 PM IST
CBSE Class 10 English Paper Analysis
Based on the students' reactions, the CBSE Class 10th English exam was easy for students having a broader view and knowledge of the topics and subtopics. The English paper featured application-based questions and maintained a balanced mix of knowledge and analysis
February 21, 2026 | 03:18 PM IST
CBSE Board exams 2026 Feb 21 exam over
The CBSE Board conducted the Class 10 English and Class 12 fashion studies and automotive exams today, i.e., February 21, 2026.
February 21, 2026 | 02:41 PM IST
CBSE Board Exams 2026 passing marks for 10th and 12th
Students need to secure at least 33% of the total marks to pass in the CBSE 2026 examinations for classes 12th and 10th.
February 21, 2026 | 02:00 PM IST
CBSE sample paper 2025-26
The board has released the CBSE sample paper 2026 for class 10th and 12th on the official website. Students can check the website to download and practice the sample papers for examinations.
February 21, 2026 | 01:30 PM IST
CBSE Board Exam 2026: Class 10 English paper ends
The CBSE Board English Exams 2026 for Class 10 students have been concluded. The students will be able to check the unofficial answer keys and question papers with solutions once the exam is over.
February 21, 2026 | 12:54 PM IST
CBSE Board 2026: Class 10 passing marks
Students need to score at least 33 percent in all subjects and a minimum aggregate of 33 percent to pass the CBSE 10th board exams.
February 21, 2026 | 12:27 PM IST
CBSE 12th Board Exam 2026: Passing marks out of 70
Students can check the passing marks out of 70 given below:
|
Type of Questions
|
No. of Questions
|
Total Marks
|
|
1 Mark Questions
|
16 | 16 |
|
2 Mark Questions
|
5 | 10 |
|
3 Mark Questions
|
7 | 21 |
|
4 Marks Questions
|
2 | 8 |
|
5 Mark Questions
|
3 | 15 |
|
Total
|
33
|
70
|
February 21, 2026 | 11:40 AM IST
Delhi Metro to prioritise students during CBSE Board 2026
As per the latest update from DMRC, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), in partnership with CISF, has made arrangements at metro stations to accommodate the increased footfall on CBSE Board 2026 examination days. Students with their admit card will be given priority during security checks and purchasing tickets at Ticket Office Machines (TOM) and Customer Care (CC) centers.
February 21, 2026 | 11:19 AM IST
CBSE Board Exam 2026: No permission without school uniform
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has stated that students who do not wear their school dress will not be allowed to enter the exam hall.
February 21, 2026 | 10:45 AM IST
Date sheet of CBSE board exams 2026 Class 12
CBSE Board Exam dates 2026 for the upcoming papers are shown in the table below.
|
Exam Dates |
Subjects |
|
February 23 |
Mass Media Studies, Design Thinking & Innovation |
|
February 24 |
Accountancy |
|
February 25 |
Beauty & Wellness, Typography & Computer Application |
|
February 26 |
Geography |
|
February 27 |
Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, Applied Art (Commercial Art) |
|
February 28 |
Chemistry |
|
March 2 |
Urdu Elective, Sanskrit Elective, Carnatic Music Vocal, Carnatic Music Mel Ins, Carnatic Music Per Ins Mridangam, Kathak Dance, Urdu Core, Front Office Operations, Insurance, Geospatial Technology, Electrical Technology |
|
March 5 |
Psychology |
|
March 6 |
Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Sindhi, Marathi, Gujarati, Manipuri, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, Arabic, Tibetan, German, Russian, Persian, Nepali, Limbo, Lepcha, Telugu Telangana, Bodo, Tangkhul, Japanese, Bhutia, Spanish, Kashmiri, Mizo |
|
March 7 |
Yoga, Electronics & Hardware |
|
March 9 |
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics |
|
March 10 |
Food production, Office Procedures and Practices, Library & Information Science, Early Childhood Care & Education |
|
March 11 |
Hindustani Music MEL & PER INS, Healthcare, Design |
|
March 12 |
English Elective, English Core |
|
March 13 |
Tourism, Air-conditioning & refrigeration |
|
March 14 |
Home Science |
|
March 16 |
Hindi elective and Hindi core |
|
March 17 |
Hindustani Music Vocal |
|
March 18 |
Economics |
|
March 19 |
Physical Activity Trainer |
|
March 20 |
Marketing |
|
March 23 |
Political Science |
|
March 24 |
Retail, Artificial Intelligence |
|
March 25 |
Informatics Practices, Computer Science, Information Technology |
|
March 27 |
Biology |
|
March 28 |
Business Studies & Business Administration |
February 21, 2026 | 10:30 AM IST
CBSE Board Exam 2026: Class 10 English paper starts
CBSE Board English Exams 2026 for Class 10 students have begun. Once the exam is over, students will have access to unofficial answer keys and question papers with solutions so that they can calculate their probable scores.
February 21, 2026 | 10:15 AM IST
CBSE board exams 2026 passing criteria
As per the CBSE board examination criteria, Class 10 and Class 12 students must secure at least 33% marks in every subject to pass. This includes theory, practical exams, and internal assessments. Students are also required to obtain a minimum of Grade D and must pass theory and practical components separately in subjects that include practical examinations
February 21, 2026 | 09:50 AM IST
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Practical exams for private students
The CBSE Board has announced that the Class 12 practical examinations for private candidates in 2026 will be held from February 23 to March 17. Schools affiliated with the board have been instructed to ensure the availability of internal examiners. In cases where subject teachers are unavailable at the examination centre, schools must arrange for qualified teachers from nearby CBSE-affiliated institutions to conduct the exams.
February 21, 2026 | 09:35 AM IST
CBSE On-Screen Marking: Explained
CBSE has announced that Class 12 board exam answer sheets will be assessed using an on-screen marking system. Meanwhile, Class 10 answer scripts will continue to be evaluated manually in physical format. Before the commencement of the evaluation process, the first day will be dedicated to reviewing the marking scheme, conducting mock evaluations to maintain consistency, and training examiners on how to use the digital assessment platform.
CBSE explains how two Class 10 board exams 2026, on-screen marking for Class 12 will work
February 21, 2026 | 09:03 AM IST
CBSE Board Exams 2026 Today
CBSE will conduct Class 10 English and Class 12 fashion studies, automotive exam today. Students must carry their hall tickets and reach the exam centres atleast 30 minutes before the exam begins.
February 21, 2026 | 07:24 AM IST
CBSE 10th English exam today
The types of questions asked in the CBSE 10th English exam today are shown in the table below.
|
Section |
Competencies Assessed |
Marks |
|
Reading Comprehension |
Conceptual understanding, interpreting, decoding, analysing, inferring, and vocabulary skills |
20 |
|
Writing Skills and Grammar |
Creative expression of opinion, reasoning, justifying, illustrating, fluency, applying conventions, appropriate style and tone, correct format, and using integrated structures accurately |
20 |
|
Language through Literature |
Recalling, extracting relevant information, identifying central themes and sub-themes, reasoning, appreciating, applying literary conventions, understanding the writer’s message, and writing fluently |
40 |
|
Total |
|
80 |
February 21, 2026 | 06:30 AM IST
CBSE academics: Compulsory computing, AI in Classes 9 & 10
CBSE will introduce compulsory Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for students of Classes 9 and 10.
- The board will design competency-based assessments for skill subjects.
- These assessments will be aligned with PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) standards.
- A new Semiconductor Technology skill subject will be introduced for students of Classes 8 to 12.
- The AI curriculum will begin from Class 3 onwards.
- These changes are set to be implemented from the 2026–27 academic session.
February 21, 2026 | 05:30 AM IST
CBSE Board Exam 2026: Day guidelines
These guidelines apply to both Class 10 and Class 12 students.
- Students must reach the exam centre 30–45 minutes before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card.
- Entry will not be allowed after the specified reporting time.
- Carrying the CBSE-issued admit card is mandatory.
- Without a valid admit card, students will not be allowed to appear for the exam.
- Question papers and answer booklets will be distributed 15 minutes before the exam begins.
- Students should use this time to fill in required details and read the question paper carefully.
February 21, 2026 | 04:30 AM IST
CBSE Class 10 Exams 2026: 11 students miss Maths paper
- Eleven students could not appear for the CBSE Class 10 Mathematics exam.
- The students were from Eucressi International School, Sector 9B.
- They were reportedly denied admit cards due to an affiliation dispute.
- Students alleged they were misled by the school.
- The school’s CBSE affiliation was valid only up to Class 8.
February 21, 2026 | 03:30 AM IST
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Rules on cheating
CBSE has made its rules stricter regarding the use of unfair means.
- Students caught cheating in a subject will have only that subject cancelled.
- Earlier, cancelled marks could be compensated using additional subjects (6th or 7th subject).
- Now, extra subjects cannot be used to replace cancelled scores to meet passing criteria.
- The revised policy is already in effect.
February 21, 2026 | 02:30 AM IST
CBSE OSM for Class 12 board exams
CBSE has introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 board exams starting 2026.
- Class 12 answer sheets will be evaluated digitally.
- Class 10 answer sheets will continue to be checked in physical mode.
The digital evaluation system aims to:
- Improve efficiency
- Increase transparency
- Ensure greater accuracy in marking
February 21, 2026 | 01:30 AM IST
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Important instruction
Exam-day instructions for the CBSE Board exams in 2026 for both Class 10th and 12th.
- Students must arrive at the location at least 30 to 45 minutes prior to the reporting time.
- After the designated reporting time, students won't be permitted to enter the test room.
- Applicants must present their CBSE-issued admit cards.
- Students will not be permitted to take the test if they do not have a valid hall ticket.
- 15 minutes prior to the start of the paper, question sheets and answer booklets will be distributed.
- Students should read the question paper carefully and complete the necessary information during this time.
February 21, 2026 | 12:30 AM IST
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Grace marks policy
The board may award grace marks to students who fall short of passing marks by just one mark. According to CBSE regulations, the student would not be entitled for grace marks if the deficit is greater than one mark.
February 20, 2026 | 11:30 PM IST
CBSE Class 10 baord exam 2026: How many subjects?
The CBSE will hold Class 10 board exams in 2026 for 83 topics.
February 20, 2026 | 10:00 PM IST
CBSE Class 12 and 10 board exam 2026: Paper timings
The CBSE Board will hold Class 12 exams from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. The Class 10 paper will be conducted from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
February 20, 2026 | 09:45 PM IST
CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026: Important documents
Applicants will be required to carry their original admit card. Regular students must bring their school ID, whereas private students require a government-issued photo ID.
February 20, 2026 | 09:30 PM IST
CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026: New changes
The board will administer the CBSE 10th exam in two stages from this year. The second stage will start on May 15 and go until June 1, 2026. There will be distinct parts for the science and social science question papers. In order for their response sheets to be examined, candidates must respond in accordance with the sections that are provided.
February 20, 2026 | 08:52 PM IST
CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026: Number of students appeared
As of 2026, 25,08,319 students are scheduled to take the CBSE Class 10 board exams. There are 10,99,771 female students and 14,08,546 male children.
February 20, 2026 | 08:40 PM IST
CBSE Class 10 Board exam 2026: Marking scheme
The marking scheme for English (Communicative) and English language & Literature is 80 marks for theory paper and 20 for internal assessment.
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