CBSE 2026 Board Exam: Date Sheet Out, Phase 1 from Feb 17

Date Sheet Released & CBSE 2026 Board Exam Timeline

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has finally released the tentative date sheet for CBSE board exam 2026. Therefore, students of Class 10 and Class 12 now have a clear idea of when their exams will begin. The exams are set to start on February 17, 2026.

For Class 10, the exams will be held in two phases.

• Phase 1: February 17 to March 9, 2026

• Phase 2: May 15 to June 1, 2026

This new system, in fact, is meant to provide more flexibility to students. Moreover, it gives them a second chance to improve their scores.

Meanwhile, Class 12 exams will take place only once, from February 17 to April 9, 2026. As a result, students of Class 12 must prepare carefully and finish their syllabus on time. 

CBSE 2026 Board Exam Details & Guidelines

Here are the most important details that every student should know:

It is important to note that this schedule is tentative. In other words, CBSE may revise it later if required. Furthermore, schools will also need to confirm final student data before dates are fully locked.

Why Two Phases for Class 10?

This is a major change introduced in 2026. For the very first time, CBSE will hold two exams for Class 10 in the same academic year. Consequently, students will not have to depend only on one final exam.

The main idea is to reduce pressure. In fact, if a student misses Phase 1 or does not do well, he or she can appear in Phase 2. Moreover, CBSE has said that the best score out of the two will be considered. This means better chances for students to improve results.

At the same time, CBSE also plans to complete the evaluation of answer sheets within 10 to 12 days after each exam. Therefore, the declaration of results is expected to be much faster.

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What Students Should Do Now

• First of all, download the tentative date sheet PDF from CBSE’s official website. 

• Next, plan a clear subject-wise study schedule.

• In addition, mark carefully which phase your exam belongs to.

• Therefore, complete the syllabus well before February.

• Moreover, practice past papers under timed conditions.

To sum up, the tentative CBSE 2026 Board Exam date sheet for 2026 shows that exams will begin on February 17. While Class 10 students will appear in two phases, Class 12 students will sit for exams only once. Since nearly 45 lakh students are expected, this announcement is a big relief for planning studies.

Therefore, students must prepare early, keep track of both phases, and follow all CBSE guidelines. In addition, they should check the official CBSE site regularly for any updates. As a result, they will be able to perform well and stay stress-free during the exam period.