The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Thousands of thousands of students from India and abroad will appear for the exams this year.According to board data, 25,08,319 students appear for Class 10 exams in 83 subjects across 8,075 centres. This includes 14,08,546 male candidates and 10,99,773 female candidates.For class 12, a total of 18,59,551 students are applying in 120 subjects in 7,574 centers. Among them are 10,27,552 male candidates and 8,31,999 female candidates.In total, more than 43.6 lakh candidates will take the CBSE board exams in 2026.
Schedule of exams and work for the first day.
The exams take place in a single shift from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The entrance to the examination center closes at 10 am Students have been advised to arrive at the center 25 to 30 minutes early to avoid delays.
- First assignment of class 10: Mathematics (Basic and Standard)
- First class 12 assignments: Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Shorthand (English and Hindi)
Important instructions for all candidates.
CBSE has reminded students that a printout of the admit card is mandatory on every exam day. Entry will not be allowed without it.Students must:
- Wear your school uniform.
- Bring your school ID card.
- Bring your own stationery.
- Carry a clear water bottle, if necessary.
Electronic items such as mobile phones, smart watches, calculators or any communication devices are strictly prohibited. Candidates who have such items will not be allowed to appear for the exam.Students will have 15 minutes to read the questionnaire before beginning to write. Answers should be written using only blue or black pens.CBSE also warned students and parents not to believe rumors on social media related to leaks of unofficial papers or question papers. Only the information issued by CBSE should be trusted.
Delhi Traffic Notice for Students
Due to the AI Impact Summit and the ongoing VVIP movement near Bharat Mandapam, Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory for smooth movement of students.Ten schools located on major VVIP routes have been identified and traffic police officers have been deployed to assist students and staff. Students carrying their CBSE admit card or date sheet will be given priority at traffic checkpoints.Schools located in areas like Tilak Marg, Vinay Marg, Pandara Road, Africa Avenue, Delhi Cantt and nearby areas are covered under the advisory. Students have been advised to check travel routes with their schools.
Class 10 Double Board Exams: First Attempt is Compulsory
Starting 2026, CBSE has introduced a dual board examination system for Class 10 under the National Education Policy 2020.The board has clarified that appearing for the first board exam is mandatory. Students who fail to appear in at least three subjects in the first exam will be placed in the Essential Repetition category and will not be allowed to appear in the second exam.Students who pass the first exam will be able to improve their grades in up to three subjects during the second exam. Compartment students will also be able to appear for the second exam as per the existing rules.CBSE has clearly stated that applications for exemption from the first attempt rule will not be entertained.
Class 12 assessment to be digitized with on-screen marking
An important change this year is the introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 answer sheets.Under this system, answer books will be scanned page by page and digitally evaluated on a secure platform. Examiners will evaluate answers directly on the screen using secure login credentials.CBSE stated that with over 10 million answer booklets expected, digital assessment will help reduce errors, improve tracking and speed up declaration of results. All pages, including blank pages, will be scanned to ensure transparency.
Important writing instructions under OSM
While the exam pattern remains the same, CBSE has asked students to follow these instructions carefully:
- Map sheets in subjects such as History and Geography should be attached at the end of the answer book.
- Answers must be written in the form of questions and within the indicated sections.
- Writing outside of designated areas may affect assessment during scanning
CBSE has said that the new digital system will help reduce evaluation errors and post-result complaints.Students are advised to remain calm and carefully follow all exam instructions. Good luck!
