The CBSE Academic Calendar 2025–26 is essential resource for students, parents and teachers to plan the academic year effectively, from board exams to vacations. Released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), this calendar applies to all affiliated schools in India and abroad, running from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this guide covers everything you need to know, including the new two-board-exam policy for Class 10, vacation schedules, practical exams, and NEP 2020-aligned initiatives.
CBSE Academic Calendar 2025-26: Overview
| Date / Month | Event / Schedule |
|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | Academic Year Begins / Term 1 Starts |
| May 11, 2025 | Summer Vacation Begins (Delhi schools) |
| June 30, 2025 | Summer Vacation Ends (Delhi schools) |
| Last week of September 2025 | Term 1 Ends |
| October 1, 2025 (tentative) | Term 2 Begins |
| October 20, 2025 | Diwali Holiday |
| December 29, 2025 | Winter Vacation Begins (Delhi schools) |
| January 1, 2026 | Winter Vacation Ends / Practical Exams Start |
| January 21, 2026 | Junior Sports Meet |
| January 24, 2026 | Senior Sports Meet |
| February 14, 2026 | Practical Exams End |
| Early February 2026 | Class 10 and 12 Admit Card Release |
| February 17, 2026 | Class 10 First Board Exam Begins |
| March 6, 2026 | Class 10 First Board Exam Ends |
| By April 20, 2026 | Class 10 First Board Exam Results |
| May 5, 2026 | Class 10 Second Board Exam Begins |
| May 20, 2026 | Class 10 Second Board Exam Ends |
| By June 30, 2026 | Class 10 Second Exam Results |
| Entire month of July 2026 (tent.) | Class 12 Supplementary Exam |
Two-Term Academic Structure
The academic year is divided into two terms to balance learning and assessments:
- Term 1 (April–September 2025): Covers the first half of the syllabus, with internal assessments, periodic tests, and mid-term exams. Use this time to build a strong foundation in core subjects.
- Term 2 (October 2025–March 2026): Focuses on completing the syllabus, revision, pre-board exams, and final/board exams.
Note: This two-term structure is separate from the new two-board-exam policy for Class 10, explained below.
Board Exam Schedules
CBSE’s new policy for 2025–26 introduces two board exams for Class 10, allowing students to appear for board exams twice in 2026 and using their best score. Here’s the accurate schedule, based on CBSE’s draft policy:
- Class 10 Board Exams:
- First Exam: February 17–March 6, 2026
- Second Exam: May 5–May 20, 2026 (also serves as a supplementary exam for students who fail the first attempt)
- Students can choose subjects for each exam. The results will be declared by April 20 (first exam) and June 30 (second exam). The higher score is used for the final marksheet.
- Class 12 Board Exam:
- Single exam, likely in February-March 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed by CBSE).
- Supplementary exam in July 2026 for students who want to improve their scores.
Practical Exam Schedules
Practical exams for Classes 10 and 12 are important and carries 20 and 30 marks per subject respectively. Based on CBSE’s past year pattern, students can expect:
- Tentative Dates: January 1–February 14, 2026.
- Details:
- Conducted once, with scores carried forward for both Class 10 exam attempts.
- External examiners are mandatory for Class 12 practicals.
- Schools will provide subject-wise schedules and ensure practical record books are complete.
Vacation Schedules
CBSE includes seasonal breaks to promote student well-being. Here are the tentative schedules, with Delhi-specific dates as a reference:
- Summer Vacation:
- Dates: May 11–June 30, 2025 (Delhi schools).
- Regional Variations: May start earlier (e.g., early May in Rajasthan) or be shorter in hilly areas (e.g., 4–6 weeks). Check your school’s calendar.
- Winter Vacation:
- Dates: December 29, 2025–January 7, 2026; January 1–15, 2026 (Delhi schools).
- Regional Variations: Longer in colder regions (e.g., 2 months in hilly areas) or shorter in milder climates (10–15 days).
Holidays and Co-Curricular Activities
The CBSE Academic Calendar 2025–26 includes a mix of compulsory holidays, national celebrations, and co-curricular events to promote holistic development:
| Category | Event / Festival / Activity | Date |
|---|---|---|
| National Holidays | Republic Day | January 26, 2025 & 2026 |
| Independence Day | August 15, 2025 | |
| Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday | October 2, 2025 | |
| Religious Holidays | Id-ul-Fitr | March 31, 2025 (tentative) |
| Diwali | October 20, 2025 (tentative) | |
| Guru Nanak’s Birthday | November 5, 2025 | |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 | |
| Co-Curricular | Junior Sports Meet | January 21, 2026 |
| Senior Sports Meet | January 24, 2026 | |
| Arts, Coding & Community Service Weeks | Throughout the year | |
| Regional Holidays | Onam (Kerala) | Varies |
| Bihu (Assam) | Varies | |
| Pongal (Tamil Nadu) | Mid-January |
The CBSE Academic Calendar 2025–26 offers a structured yet flexible framework for students, parents, and educators. With the new two-board-exam policy for Class 10, updated vacation schedules, and NEP-driven initiatives, it’s designed to balance academics and well-being. Stay ahead by checking cbse.gov.in for updates. Have questions? Leave a comment below or explore our other guides on CBSE Class 10 Syllabus and Exam Preparation Tips!