New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the date sheets for the Class 10 Board Examinations 2026, marking a historic shift with the introduction of the dual-exam system. For the first time, Class 10 students will appear for two sets of board exams in a single academic year — Exam 1 in February–March and Exam 2 in May–June.
According to CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj, nearly 45 lakh students across Classes 10 and 12 are expected to take the exams, which will cover 204 subjects.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates 2026 – Exam 1 (February–March)
The first session of Class 10 exams will begin on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with Mathematics (Standard and Basic) and conclude on Monday, March 9, 2026, with Language and Music papers.
Key highlights include:
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Mathematics: February 17
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English (Communicative & Language & Literature): February 21
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Science: February 25
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Computer Applications & Artificial Intelligence: February 27
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Hindi (Course A & B): March 2
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Social Science: March 7
The board has ensured subject grouping in such a way that students get adequate preparation time between major examinations.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates 2026 – Exam 2 (May–June)
The second session will be conducted from May 15 to June 1, 2026. This exam is designed primarily as an opportunity for students to improve their performance if they are not satisfied with their Exam 1 results.
Key subjects include:
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Mathematics (Standard & Basic): May 15
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Science: May 19
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Social Science: May 22
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Languages & Compartment Subjects: Scheduled across May 16 to June 1
Evaluation Timeline
To ensure faster results, CBSE has also announced a structured evaluation schedule. Answer sheet evaluation will begin 10 days after each subject’s exam and finish within 12 days. For instance, if Class 12 Physics is held on February 20, the evaluation will start by March 3 and conclude by March 15, 2026.
Why Two Exams in a Year?
The decision to hold two board exams annually comes as a major education reform. CBSE aims to:
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Reduce exam stress by dividing pressure across two sessions.
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Provide an extra chance to students within the same academic year.
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Align with National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which emphasizes continuous assessment.
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Allow students to improve scores without waiting for a full year, unlike the earlier compartment or supplementary exam system.
Education experts believe this move will give students flexibility and ease the pressure of “one big exam.”
Early Release of Date Sheet
Interestingly, CBSE has released the timetable 146 days before the start of Exam 1, giving students more time for preparation. This proactive approach is expected to reduce last-minute anxiety and help schools plan revision sessions efficiently.
Conclusion
The CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 marks a new chapter in India’s education system. With the introduction of the dual-exam structure, students will now have two opportunities to prove themselves, making the evaluation process more student-friendly and flexible.
As lakhs of students gear up for the upcoming academic challenge, teachers and parents are also welcoming the move as a step towards reducing exam-related stress.
