CBSE Board Exams 2026: 46 Lakh Students Set to Begin Exams Tomorrow; New Rules and Digital Reforms in Place New Delhi | February 16, 2026 –...
CBSE Board Exams 2026: 46 Lakh Students Set to Begin Exams Tomorrow; New Rules and Digital Reforms in Place
New Delhi | February 16, 2026 – The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is all set to conduct its annual Class 10 and 12 board examinations starting tomorrow, February 17, 2026. This year, approximately 46 lakh students from over 31,000 affiliated schools in India and 26 countries abroad will be appearing for the exams at more than 8,074 centers.
The 2026 exam cycle is particularly significant as it introduces major structural changes, including a mandatory "two-board" policy for Class 10 and a shift to fully digital evaluation for Class 12.
Key Highlights & Major Changes for 2026
1. Class 10: Mandatory February Session
Under the new framework, Class 10 students will have two board exam opportunities in a year.
Mandatory Attendance: Appearing in the first session (starting tomorrow) is compulsory.
Ineligibility for May Session: CBSE clarified today that students who miss three or more subjects in this February session will be marked as "Essential Repeat" and will not be allowed to sit for the second attempt in May/June.
Improvement Opportunity: The second exam in May is optional and intended for those looking to improve their scores or those who received a "Compartment" result.
2. Class 12: Transition to On-Screen Marking (OSM)
In a move to enhance transparency and eliminate human error, CBSE is implementing On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 for the first time.
Digital Evaluation: Scanned answer sheets will be marked by examiners on computer screens.
No Post-Result Verification: Since the software automatically totals marks and ensures no answer is left unevaluated, CBSE has announced that post-result verification of marks will no longer be required for Class 12 students from 2026.
Exam Day Guidelines: Do’s and Don’ts
The Board has emphasized strict adherence to timing and conduct rules.
Category Instruction
Entry Deadline Gate closes at 10:00 AM sharp. No entry allowed under any circumstances after this.
Reporting Time Students are advised to reach the center by 9:30 AM.
Reading Time Question papers will be distributed at 10:15 AM; 15 minutes are for reading only.
Mandatory Items Admit Card (Hall Ticket) and School Identity Card.
Prohibited Items Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and any electronic gadgets.
Subject-Wise Paper Division (Class 10)
To reduce student pressure, CBSE has introduced a clear division of question papers for Science and Social Science in Class 10. The papers will now feature distinct sections (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, and Biology within the Science paper) to help students manage their time more effectively.
Advice for Students
Education experts suggest that students should treat tomorrow like a regular school day to keep anxiety at bay. "The focus this year has shifted toward competency-based questions," says a senior CBSE official. "Students should focus on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization."
