CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026: Tentative Date Sheet and New Two-Session

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has proactively announced the tentative datesheet for the Class 10 Board Examinations for the academic year 2025-2026. This early announcement is a significant step aimed at giving students and educational institutions ample time to prepare for the crucial examinations. Notably, the board has introduced a major structural change for Class 10 exams this year, announcing a new system where students will have the option to appear for the board exams in two separate sessions.

Examination Window and Key Dates

The CBSE Class 10 board exams for the 2026 session are scheduled to be conducted in two phases:

1. Phase 1 (Main Session): The first phase of examinations is tentatively scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and is expected to conclude on Monday, March 9, 2026. This period will cover the majority of subjects.
2. Phase 2 (Optional/Improvement Session): This newly introduced second phase is an optional opportunity for students who wish to improve their scores or appear for compartment subjects. It is tentatively scheduled from Friday, May 15, 2026, to Monday, June 1, 2026.

The board has confirmed that the examinations for both phases will be conducted in a single shift on the respective exam days, typically starting at 10:30 AM.

Tentative Subject-wise Schedule for Phase 1 (February-March 2026)

Based on the tentative schedule released by CBSE, the dates for core subjects in the first phase are as follows. Students should note that all exams are generally held from 10:30 AM onwards, with varying end times based on the subject’s paper duration (mostly 1:30 PM for main subjects and 12:30 PM for shorter/skill subjects):

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Key Takeaways of the New Two-Session Format

This year’s major update is the implementation of a two-session board exam for Class 10 students, aligning with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

• Improvement Opportunity: The second session (May-June) allows students who took the first session (February-March) a chance to improve their scores in the main subjects.
• Best Score Considered: Under this new system, the best score obtained by a student across the two sessions will be considered for the final result.
• Optional for All: Both exams are not compulsory. A student can choose to appear only in the first session. However, the second session is specifically designed as an optional opportunity for improvement.

Important Note on the Datesheet

It is crucial for all students, parents, and teachers to understand that the schedule released is tentative. The official final date sheet is expected to be released closer to the examination period, typically in November 2025. Any revisions or updates to the dates will be announced solely on the official CBSE website, cbse.gov.in. Students are strongly advised to refer only to the official circulars for the most accurate information.

This comprehensive schedule and the new improvement option provide a structured roadmap for students to plan their preparation efficiently and reduce exam-related stress, ensuring they are well-equipped to perform their best.