CBSE 10th Date Sheet 2026: Download FINAL Class 10 Phase 1, Phase 2 Schedule

CBSE 10th Date Sheet 2026: Download FINAL Class 10 Phase 1, Phase 2 Schedule

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the Class 10 Board Exam Date Sheet for 2026. The schedule for both theory and practical examinations was announced through an official notification dated 30 October 2025 and is available on the official CBSE website, cbse.gov.in.

For the first time, CBSE will conduct the Class 10 board exams in two phases, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This new system is designed to reduce exam pressure, offer flexibility, and allow students to improve their performance without waiting for an entire academic year.

CBSE 10th Date Sheet 2026

CBSE has released the final Class 10 Phase 1, Phase 2 Schedule. The first phase will be the main board exam for which all students will be required to write. This phase will run from February 17 to March 11, 2026. The second phase will be an optional assessment suited to students seeking to improve their marks or to satisfy a compartment requirement. These exams will commence on May 15, 2026 and conclude on June 1, 2026. All exams will be administered in offline mode, with pen and paper. Most theory papers will be held from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM, with some shorter papers concluding at 12:30 PM.

Important Rules and Guidelines for the CBSE Exams 2026

• Students must have a minimum of 75% attendance in every subject for the board/exams starting in 2026. Attendance will now contribute to internal assessments which will involve class participation, periodic tests, projects and others. Special approvals may only be given in special cases for medical and sports at the national level (with school and CBSE approval).

• Only one set of internal assessments will take place in the whole academic year as well as one set of practical before the Phase 1 exams in February – unlike previous years.

• Once schools submit the List of Candidates (LOC) in September 2025, no student may change subjects for individual students. Students must consider and plan their own subjects carefully prior to submission of LOC.

• The exams will be conducted at the same exam centre for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 exams. There will be no independent self-centre or temporary centres.

Subject-Wise Exam Schedule for Phase 1 (revised)

*Sourced from official CBSE Notification

Phase 2 date sheet for compartment Exams

* sourced from official CBSE Notification

Procedure to Download the CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet

The official CBSE Class 10 date sheet 2026 will be available for students to download via the official CBSE website – cbse.gov.in. The date sheet can be downloaded in PDF format, and no credentials will need to be entered to download this document. Schools and private candidates will also be able to download the admit card from the same website once it has been issued.

What is New Two Phase Exam Pattern?

CBSE is making a remarkable change to how the exam structure for the board exams would work. Class 10 students would be allowed to take the board examinations twice during one academic year instead of having one high-stakes exam. The all-new system was implemented as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aimed at reducing academic stress to students and allowing them another chance to catch a break.​

Phase 1 (Main Examination): The first set of exams would be considered mandatory and would take place from February 17 to March 11, 2026. This would be considered the main board exam as it would identify if the student passed or failed.​

Phase 2 (Improvement/Compartment Exam): The second set of exams in ‘May’ (May 15 to June 1, 2026) would be optional for specific categories of students:​

• Improvement Candidates: Students who passed in Phase 1 but would choose to take up to three subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, or a Language) to improve that mark.​

• Compartment Candidates: Students who failed one or two subjects in Phase 1 would be able to re-take the exam in either of the subjects during Phase 2.​

• Special cases: Students enrolled in winter-bound schools, or student representatives engaged in national-level sports, would have the choice of either exam and which one they would appear.

Important information on eligibility

If students fail in 3 or more subjects in Phase 1, they will be declared “Essential Repeat” and will not be allowed to sit in the May exam. These students will be required to wait until the next academic year to retake the board exam.

When will the practicals exam be held?

Practicals are a significant part of the overall assessment of Class 10 students. For winter-bound schools (schools in hilly areas) practicals will be held between November 6 and December 6, 2025. For all other CBSE-recognized schools in India and abroad practicals are expected to begin from January 1, 2026 and should be completed before the theory exams begin.

Practicals carry a total of 20 marks and students must obtain a minimum of 33% combined from both the theory and practicals to pass the class.

Conclusion

The implementation of the two-phase examination system for CBSE Class 10 is relieving student examination pressure while upholding educational quality. It provides students the opportunity to improve their grades without the frustration of waiting an entire year. The CBSE issued date sheet is also quite detailed, so students have a considerable amount of time to prepare.

With a little planning, consistent attendance, and purposeful studying, students should manage to pass their exams. Remember, the first phase of the examinations is compulsory, so put in the effort to perform to the best of your abilities. The May examination will greatly benefit students seeking to enhance their grades. Follow the guidance provided, and best of luck with your exams!

FAQs Related to CBSE Board Exams

When will CBSE Class 10 2026 Phase 1 exam be held?

The exam will be held from February 17 to March 11, 2026.

What is the Phase 2 of CBSE 10th exams 2026 date?

The Phase 2 will be conducted between May 15 and June 1, 2026

Disclaimer: The following article is sourced from official notification CBSE date sheet available on cbse.gov.in. The sole purpose of this article is only for informational basis. The data mentioned in this article like dates and change in exam format can change or vary upon further updates and the author shall not be held responsible for any changes after the publication of this article.

Procedure to Download the CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet

The official CBSE Class 10 date sheet 2026 will be available for students to download via the official CBSE website – cbse.gov.in. The date sheet can be downloaded in PDF format, and no credentials will need to be entered to download this document. Schools and private candidates will also be able to download the admit card from the same website once it has been issued.

What is New Two Phase Exam Pattern?

CBSE is making a remarkable change to how the exam structure for the board exams would work. Class 10 students would be allowed to take the board examinations twice during one academic year instead of having one high-stakes exam. The all-new system was implemented as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aimed at reducing academic stress to students and allowing them another chance to catch a break.​

Phase 1 (Main Examination): The first set of exams would be considered mandatory and would take place from February 17 to March 11, 2026. This would be considered the main board exam as it would identify if the student passed or failed.​

Phase 2 (Improvement/Compartment Exam): The second set of exams in ‘May’ (May 15 to June 1, 2026) would be optional for specific categories of students:​

• Improvement Candidates: Students who passed in Phase 1 but would choose to take up to three subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, or a Language) to improve that mark.​

• Compartment Candidates: Students who failed one or two subjects in Phase 1 would be able to re-take the exam in either of the subjects during Phase 2.​

• Special cases: Students enrolled in winter-bound schools, or student representatives engaged in national-level sports, would have the choice of either exam and which one they would appear.

Important information on eligibility

If students fail in 3 or more subjects in Phase 1, they will be declared “Essential Repeat” and will not be allowed to sit in the May exam. These students will be required to wait until the next academic year to retake the board exam.

When will the practicals exam be held?

Practicals are a significant part of the overall assessment of Class 10 students. For winter-bound schools (schools in hilly areas) practicals will be held between November 6 and December 6, 2025. For all other CBSE-recognized schools in India and abroad practicals are expected to begin from January 1, 2026 and should be completed before the theory exams begin.

Practicals carry a total of 20 marks and students must obtain a minimum of 33% combined from both the theory and practicals to pass the class.

Conclusion

The implementation of the two-phase examination system for CBSE Class 10 is relieving student examination pressure while upholding educational quality. It provides students the opportunity to improve their grades without the frustration of waiting an entire year. The CBSE issued date sheet is also quite detailed, so students have a considerable amount of time to prepare.

With a little planning, consistent attendance, and purposeful studying, students should manage to pass their exams. Remember, the first phase of the examinations is compulsory, so put in the effort to perform to the best of your abilities. The May examination will greatly benefit students seeking to enhance their grades. Follow the guidance provided, and best of luck with your exams!

FAQs Related to CBSE Board Exams

When will CBSE Class 10 2026 Phase 1 exam be held?

The exam will be held from February 17 to March 11, 2026.

What is the Phase 2 of CBSE 10th exams 2026 date?

The Phase 2 will be conducted between May 15 and June 1, 2026

Disclaimer: The following article is sourced from official notification CBSE date sheet available on cbse.gov.in. The sole purpose of this article is only for informational basis. The data mentioned in this article like dates and change in exam format can change or vary upon further updates and the author shall not be held responsible for any changes after the publication of this article.