ICSE Class 10 board exams 2026 start today for 2.6 lakh students; English language first paper

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) will start the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ICSE) board exams 2026 for Class 10 students today, February 17. The board will conduct the ICSE Class 10 English paper today from 11 am.

The ICSE English exam will be held from 11 am to 1 pm. Students will get an extra 15 minutes to read the Class 10 question paper. Only students with at least 75% attendance are allowed to appear for the ICSE Class 10 board exam 2026 .

As per the ICSE board exam date sheet 2026, the Class 10 exams 2026 will be conducted from February 17 to March 30 in a single shift. Around 2.6 lakh students will appear for the ICSE Class 10 board exam.

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The ICSE Class 10 English exam will be for 80 marks, with the remaining 20 marks being awarded through internal assessment.

ICSE Class 10 board exam timings

According to the ICSE Class 10 board exam guidelines, students should reach the exam hall and sit in their assigned room by 10.30 am for exams starting at 11 am. The question paper reading time will be from 10.45 am to 11 am. For exams starting at 9 am, the reading time will be from 8.45 am to 9 am.

Most of the exams will last for 2 hours, except for Hindi and Arts exams, which will be conducted for 3 hours. Students have to write the ICSE board exam 2026 in black or blue ink pen only.

As per the guidelines, students are allowed to bring only stationery items, such as a blue or black pen, a pencil, a scale, and an eraser, into the examination room.

Smartwatches, mobile phones, earphones, wireless devices, cameras, or any other electronic devices that can be used for communication or internet access are not allowed.