The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 for the academic session 2025–26. As per the latest update, the Class 10 board examinations will be conducted in two phases, following the guidelines of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Phase 1 exams are compulsory for all students and will be held from 17 February to 10 March 2026 in offline (pen and paper) mode. The Phase 2 exams are optional, giving students a chance to improve their scores in selected subjects, and are expected to be conducted between 15 May and 1 June 2026 (tentative). Students can download the official CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 PDF from the CBSE website cbse.gov.in.
CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 – Overview
Here are the key highlights of the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026:
| Board Name | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Name | CBSE Class 10 Board Examination 2026 |
| Session | 2025–26 |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Phase 1 Exam Dates | 17 February to 10 March 2026 |
| Phase 2 Exam Dates | 15 May to 1 June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Practical Exams | January 2026 |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
Two-Phase Exam System Explained (NEP 2020)
CBSE has introduced a two-phase board exam system to reduce exam stress and offer flexibility to students.
Phase 1 (Mandatory)
- All students must appear
- Full syllabus covered
- Marks will be counted for final result
Phase 2 (Optional Improvement Exam)
- Optional for students
- Students can improve scores in up to 3 subjects
- Subjects allowed:
- Science
- Mathematics
- Social Science
- Languages
This system allows students to perform better without pressure.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates 2026 – Phase 1 (Theory)
Below are the major subject exam dates for Phase 1:
- Mathematics: 17 February 2026
- English: 21 February 2026
- Science: 25 February 2026
- Hindi: 2 March 2026
- Social Science: 7 March 2026
- Other Languages: 9–10 March 2026
Vocational and skill-based subjects are scheduled between 18 February and 6 March 2026.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates 2026 – Phase 2 (Tentative)
The Phase 2 improvement exams are expected to follow this schedule:
- Mathematics: 15 May 2026
- Science: 19 May 2026
- Social Science: 22 May 2026
- Languages: 26 & 30 May 2026
- Last Exam: 1 June 2026
CBSE will release the final Phase 2 timetable in March 2026.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Timings 2026
- Question Paper Reading Time: 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM
- Exam Start Time: 10:30 AM
- Exam End Time:
- Most papers: 1:30 PM
- Some vocational papers: 12:30 PM
Students must reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes early.
CBSE Class 10 Practical Exams 2026
- Practical Exam Month: January 2026
- Marks Weightage: 20 marks (subject-wise)
- Date Sheet: Issued by schools
- Assessment Based On:
- Experiments
- Viva
- Assignments
- Project work
Students should contact their respective schools for practical exam schedules.
How to Download CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 PDF
Follow these simple steps:
- Visit cbse.gov.in
- Click on “CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026”
- The date sheet PDF will open
- Download and save the PDF
- Take a printout or screenshot for daily reference
Details Mentioned in CBSE 10th Date Sheet 2026
The official date sheet includes:
- Board name
- Examination name
- Subject names and codes
- Exam dates and days
- Exam timings
- Practical exam information
- Important exam instructions
CBSE Class 10 Result 2026 (Expected)
- Phase 1 Result: April 2026 (Tentative)
- Phase 2 Result: June 2026 (Tentative)
CBSE does not declare percentage. Calculation, if needed, is done by schools or institutions.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Guidelines for Students
- Carry CBSE Class 10 Admit Card 2026 daily
- Reach exam centre early
- Do not carry mobile phones, smart watches, calculators
- Bring required stationery
- Follow invigilator instructions strictly
- Practice previous year and sample papers
Supplementary Exams – CBSE Class 10 (Tentative)
CBSE supplementary exams are expected in July 2026 for students who do not clear one or more subjects. The date sheet will be released after result declaration.
Previous Year CBSE Class 10 Exam Statistics
- 2025 Exam Dates: 15 Feb – 13 Mar 2025
- Total Students Appeared: 22.38 lakh
- Overall Pass Percentage: 93.60%
- Girls Pass %: 92.71%
- Boys Pass %: 94.75%
The CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 provides a clear roadmap for students preparing for one of the most important academic milestones. With the two-phase exam system, students now have more flexibility, less pressure, and better opportunities to improve performance. Students are advised to download the official date sheet, plan their study schedule wisely, focus on revision, and regularly check cbse.gov.in for updates.
FAQs – CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026
Q1. When will CBSE Class 10 exams 2026 start?
The Phase 1 exams will begin on 17 February 2026.
Q2. Is Phase 2 exam compulsory for CBSE Class 10?
No, Phase 2 is optional and only for score improvement.
Q3. When will CBSE Class 10 practical exams be held?
Practical exams are expected in January 2026.
Q4. Where can I download the CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026 PDF?
From the official website cbse.gov.in.
