CBSE board exams 2026 to begin on February 17; Class X to have two board exams under NEP

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the Class X and XII board examinations for the 2025–26 academic year will commence on February 17, 2026. For the first time, CBSE will conduct two board examinations for Class X in line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The board said this move is aimed at reducing academic pressure and giving students multiple opportunities to improve their performance.

In a circular issued on Thursday, CBSE said it has released the detailed date sheet 110 days before the start of the exams — the earliest ever — to help students, parents, and schools plan in advance. The early release was made possible by the timely submission of registration details by affiliated schools, the board said.

The board had earlier released a tentative schedule on September 24 based on initial registration data. The final date sheet, prepared after receiving complete data on subject combinations, ensures that no two exams chosen by a student fall on the same day. CBSE said it considered entrance exam schedules for Class XII students and ensured sufficient gaps between papers.

The Class X and XII exams will begin at 10.30 am (IST). The board said the early release of the timetable will help students prepare systematically, reduce exam-related anxiety, and allow schools to plan teaching and evaluation work efficiently. CBSE also directed schools to provide Class XI registration numbers to students applying for JEE (Main) so that their entrance exam schedules do not clash with the board exams.

The detailed date sheets for both classes can be accessed on the board’s official website, www.cbse.gov.in.