CBSE Board Exams 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an important notice to schools regarding the submission of the List of Candidates (LOC) for students of Classes 10 and 12 who will appear in the 2026 board examinations. The Board has directed all affiliated schools to ensure accurate and timely submission of data, as only students included in the LOC will be permitted to sit for the exams.
For the first time, the Class 10 LOC will reflect provisions under the newly introduced two-board examination policy. CBSE has clarified that the main examination scheduled for February 2026 will be compulsory for all Class 10 students, and the LOC must include every candidate. Schools are also required to link students' APAAR IDs while submitting data, with exemptions granted to institutions located abroad.
The Board has stressed that both data submission and fee payment deadlines will be strictly adhered to. For schools in India, the normal fee submission window will remain open from August 29 to September 30, 2025, while submissions with late fees will be accepted until October 11, 2025. CBSE has further reiterated that payments will be accepted only through digital modes.
Principals have been instructed to conduct orientation sessions for students and parents, particularly to explain the second board examination for Class 10 scheduled in May 2026. Schools must carefully verify students' personal details, subject codes, and categories, as no corrections will be allowed once the deadlines expire.
1. Exam Schedule and Student Participation
- Class X and XII board examinations will start on the first Tuesday after February 15 each year.
- In 2026, an estimated 26.60 lakh students will appear for Class X exams, while 20 lakh students will take Class XII exams.
2. Syllabus and Exam Pattern
- Both Class X and XII exams will cover the full syllabus as per the current textbooks.
- No reduction in syllabus or bifurcation of the curriculum.
3. Subject Grouping and Exam Days
- Core subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, Hindi, and English will have fixed examination dates, similar to the current system.
- Other subjects are divided into two groups:
- Regional and Foreign Languages – All exams in this category will be conducted on a single day.
- Other Elective Subjects – These will be offered 2 to 3 times, allowing students flexibility in choosing their exam date.
4. Multiple Exam Opportunities for Some Subjects
- Certain subjects (e.g., Data Science) will be conducted multiple times (2-3 times) based on student choices.
- This system aims to provide flexibility and reduce the burden on students.
5. Practical & Internal Assessment
- Practical/Internal Assessment will be conducted only once for the entire academic year.
6. Result Policy- The performance of the first examination will be made available in DigiLocker and can be used for admission to Class XI if the student chooses not to appear for the second examination.
- All candidates will receive passing documents only after the second examination result is declared.
The Mark Sheet cum Passing Certificate will include:
- Marks obtained in the first examination and second examination
- Scores from Practical/Internal Assessment
- Grades
- The better of the two marks will also be mentioned.
