The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the tentative datesheet for the Class 10 board examinations 2026. The exams are scheduled to begin on February 17, 2026, and conclude on March 9, 2026. In a significant change, the board has also announced a second exam window from May 15 to June 1, 2026, for students who need to appear for supplementary or improvement exams.
This year’s datesheet has been released much earlier than usual — giving students extra time to plan revisions, but also causing some initial panic. Don’t worry — this is a good thing for you!
The schedule, uploaded on CBSE’s official website (cbse.gov.in), gives students a clear roadmap nearly five months in advance, ensuring they have ample time to plan and prepare effectively.
Key Highlights of CBSE Class 10 Exams 2026
Here are key highlights related to the CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026:
| Feature | Details |
| Start Date | February 17, 2026 |
| End Date | March 9, 2026 |
| Exam Timing | 10:30 am – 1:30 pm (3 hours for theory papers) |
| Students Appearing | Nearly 25 lakh students across India and 26 other countries |
| Tentative Nature | Dates are provisional; final schedule may change with CBSE approvals |
CBSE Class 10 Datesheet 2026 (Tentative)
CBSE Class 10th Date Sheet 2026: Main Subjects
Here’s a quick glance at the CBSE Class 10th 2026 exam schedule for the core subjects.
| Date | Subject |
| February 17, 2026 | Mathematics |
| February 21, 2026 | English |
| February 25, 2026 | Science |
| March 2, 2026 | Hindi |
| March 7, 2026 | Social Science |
The datesheet was released so early this year—is it normal? Why did CBSE announce it in September, not November?
CBSE released it almost five months early to give you a clear plan for revision. It might feel scary at first (because now exams feel “real”), but this is actually a blessing — more time to prepare systematically.
Is this the final datesheet or can CBSE change it later?
Nope — this is a tentative datesheet. CBSE sometimes makes small adjustments before the final version. If there are overlaps with big competitive exams or too little gap between subjects, CBSE may shift dates slightly.
There’s only 1-day gap before Science! How do I revise such a big syllabus?
This is the biggest complaint among students. Don’t panic. Here’s what toppers suggest:
Finish Science syllabus + first revision before February.
Use that one-day gap only for formula sheets, diagrams, and sample papers — not for learning new topics.
What if my exam and a festival, like Holi, are on the same date?
Some students are upset that exams might overlap with major festivals like Holi, which disrupts celebrations. Unfortunately, CBSE rarely changes exam dates around festivals, so plan your revision to avoid last-minute cramming and enjoy at least part of the celebrations.
I’m panicking after seeing the datesheet. How do I calm down?
You’re not alone — thousands of students are panicking right now. Try this:
Break your preparation into a 12-week plan (revise 2–3 chapters every week).
Solve 1 sample paper every weekend.
Do short 10-min breathing breaks when anxiety hits.
CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026: Complete Subject List
A complete subject-wise timetable is provided below.
| Date | Subject | Subject Code |
| 17 Feb 2026 (Tue) | Mathematics Standard / Mathematics Basic | 041 / 241 |
| 18 Feb 2026 (Wed) | Retail; Security; Automotive; Financial Markets; Tourism; Agriculture; Food Production; Front Office Operations; Banking & Insurance; Health Care; Apparel; Multimedia; Data Science; Electronics & Hardware; Foundation Skills for Sciences; Design Thinking & Innovation | 401, 403, 404, 405, 406, 408, 409, 410, 411, 413, 414, 415, 419, 420, 421, 422 |
| 20 Feb 2026 (Fri) | Beauty & Wellness; Marketing & Sales; Multi Skill Foundation Course; Physical Activity Trainer | 407, 412, 416, 418 |
| 21 Feb 2026 (Sat) | English (Communicative) / English (Language & Literature) | 101 / 184 |
| 23 Feb 2026 (Mon) | French | 018 |
| 24 Feb 2026 (Tue) | Urdu Course-A; Punjabi; Bengali; Tamil; Marathi; Gujarati; Manipuri; Telugu (Telangana) | 003, 004, 005, 600, 089, 010, 011 |
| 25 Feb 2026 (Wed) | Science | 086 |
| 26 Feb 2026 (Thu) | Home Science | 064 |
| 27 Feb 2026 (Fri) | Computer Applications; Information Technology; Artificial Intelligence | 165, 402, 417 |
| 28 Feb 2026 (Sat) | Sanskrit (Communicative / Sanskrit); Rai; Gurung; Tamang; Sherpa; Urdu Course-B | 119, 122, 131, 132, 133, 134, 303 |
| 02 Mar 2026 (Mon) | Hindi Course-A / Hindi Course-B | 002 / 085 |
| 03 Mar 2026 (Tue) | Tibetan; German; NCC; Bhoti; Bodo; Tangkhul; Japanese; Bhutia; Spanish; Kashmiri; Mizo; Bahasa Melayu; Elements of Business; Book Keeping & Accountancy | 017, 020, 076, 088, 092, 093, 094, 095, 096, 097, 098, 099, 154, 254 |
| 05 Mar 2026 (Thu) | Painting | 049 |
| 06 Mar 2026 (Fri) | Sindhi; Malayalam; Odia; Assamese; Kannada; Kokborok | 008, 012, 013, 014, 015, 091 |
| 07 Mar 2026 (Sat) | Social Science | 087 |
| 09 Mar 2026 (Mon) | Telugu; Arabic; Russian; Persian; Nepali; Limboo; Lepcha; Carnatic Music (Vocal/Mel/Per); Hindustani Music (Vocal/Mel/Per); Thai | 007, 016, 021, 023, 024, 025, 026, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 136 |
(Note: This is a tentative schedule. CBSE may revise dates before the final announcement.)
CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026: How to Download
Here’s a complete step-by-step process on how to download the CBSE Class 10 date sheet 2026:
- Open the official CBSE website: cbse.nic.in.
- Click on the link for Class 10 Date Sheet 2026.
- The complete timetable will appear on the screen.
- Download the PDF and keep a printed copy for reference.
Download Official Notification here:
When will we get the admit cards?
Admit cards are usually released two weeks before the exam. Download it immediately, check your name, roll number, subjects, and photograph. Report any mistakes to your school right away.
What if two exams are very close together?
CBSE has tried to give enough gap before big subjects like Social Science and Hindi, but some papers (like Science–Home Science–IT cluster) are close together. Your best strategy is to finish revision early and use these days only for final touch-ups.
Will CBSE give easy papers this time because of the two-session model?
Not necessarily “easy,” but the papers are likely to stay balanced and competency-based like last year. The two-session model simply gives you a second chance if you’re not happy with your score — it doesn’t mean the first paper will be very tough.
When will the results come out?
CBSE has announced that results will be declared by the first week of May 2026 — much earlier than before. This helps you apply for scholarships or school admissions without waiting long.
Two-Session Exam Model
For the first time, CBSE is introducing a two-session model for Class 10:
- Phase 1 (Main Exams): February 17 to March 9, 2026
- Phase 2 (Supplementary/Improvement Exams): May 15 to June 1, 2026
Students who are unable to appear in the first phase, or those who wish to improve their scores, can utilize the second session. While Phase 1 remains compulsory for all candidates, Phase 2 is optional and student-centric.
CBSE Class 12 Datesheet 2026 Download PDF
Do I have to give exams in both February and May sessions?
No. Every student must appear for the February–March session. The May–June session is optional, only for those who either miss exams due to unavoidable reasons or want to improve their scores.
If I fail in one subject in the February exams, can I reappear in May?
Yes, exactly. That’s one of the biggest advantages of this two-phase system. Instead of waiting a whole year, you can reattempt in May 2026 itself.
If I perform well in Phase 1 but think I can score higher, can I still attempt in Phase 2?
Yes, you can. But remember, the higher marks between the two attempts will be considered for your final result.
Scale of the Examination
- Nearly 45 lakh students are expected to appear in the board examinations 2026.
- CBSE will conduct the exams in 204 subjects across India and in 26 countries abroad.
Evaluation Process
CBSE has also released details about the evaluation procedure for the 2026 exams:
- Early Start to Evaluation: Checking of answer sheets will begin within 10 days of the first exam.
- Time-Bound Checking: Each subject’s evaluation will be wrapped up in about 12 days.
- On-screen Marking System: Many centers will use digital evaluation to reduce errors and speed up the process.
- Result Timeline: With early evaluation, CBSE plans to declare results by the first week of May 2026, ahead of the Phase 2 exam window.
This faster cycle will benefit students applying for higher studies, scholarships, or entrance exams.
Also See: How to Write Perfect NCERT-Based Answers for CBSE Exams
What Schools and Students Should Note
- Internal Assessments / Practicals: Schools will conduct practical exams, internal assessments, and project submissions separately, as per CBSE guidelines issued later.
- Admit Cards: CBSE will release admit cards around two weeks before the exams.
- Strict Rules: Students must carefully check subject codes, reporting times, and exam-day instructions printed on their admit cards.
- Preparation Strategy: Since the timetable is released early, students can create a balanced revision plan, ensuring adequate time for each subject.
- Flexibility: The new two-session system means reduced pressure, as students can re-attempt without waiting for a whole year.
Related posts:
CBSE Exam Pattern Changes for Class 10 Students in 2026 – What You Need to Know
CBSE Academic Calendar 2025–26: Exam Dates, Holidays & Key Updates
CBSE Holiday List 2025–26: Month-Wise Calendar & PDF Download
Class 10
Print Culture and the Modern World Class 10: Important Questions, Easy Answers
Acids, Bases and Salts Class 10 Important Questions and Answers
Federalism Class 10 Most Important Questions and Answers
Manufacturing Industries: Demystified with Class 10 Questions and Answers