CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE Updates: The Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations begin today, with over 43 lakh students set to appear, around 25 lakh in Class 10 and 18.5 lakh in Class 12. The exams will be conducted across 8,074 centres for Class 10 and 7,574 centres for Class 12.
For Class 10 students, the first paper is Mathematics (Basics) and Mathematics (Standard). Meanwhile, Class 12 students will appear for Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies on the first day.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has advised students to reach their examination centres well in advance, keeping traffic conditions in mind. Entry to examination centres will close sharply at 10 AM. The exams will be conducted in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
The Class 10 examinations will conclude on March 10, while the Class 12 exams will end on April 10. In total, students will appear for 83 subjects in Class 10 and 120 subjects in Class 12. Of the 25 lakh candidates appearing for Class 10, approximately 14 lakh are boys and 10.9 lakh are girls. In Class 12, around 10.2 lakh boys and 8.3 lakh girls will take the board examinations this year.
The CBSE has issued a clarification regarding Class 10 board examinations starting 2026, with the first board exams set to begin tomorrow. In response to requests from students seeking permission to appear directly in the second board examination due to unavoidable reasons, the CBSE has outlined clear rules regarding eligibility.
Key points of the CBSE clarification include:
- Mandatory First Exam: All students must appear in the first board examination.
- Improvement Opportunity: Passed and eligible students may improve their scores in up to three subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages.
- "Essential Repeat" Category: Students who do not appear in three or more subjects in the first exam will not be allowed to sit for the second board examination. These students will be placed in the Essential Repeat category and can only take the main examination next year in February.
- Compartment Category: Students whose first examination results are "Compartment" will be allowed to appear in the second exam under the Compartment category.
- No Additional Subjects: After passing Class 10, students cannot appear in stand-alone additional subjects.
Here Are The Latest Updates On CBSE Board Exams 2026
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Live Updates: Digital Evaluation For Class 12
For the 2026 examinations, CBSE has introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 answer books, while Class 10 evaluations will continue in the traditional physical mode. Teachers have been instructed to complete practice sessions on the Digital Evaluation Platform starting February 16 to ensure readiness. Login credentials are issued via registered email IDs, and activity monitoring will be conducted throughout the practice period.
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Live Updates: CBSE’s Big Warning - No Admit Card, No Entry
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a strict directive to schools ahead of the 2026 board examinations, asking them to ensure the timely distribution of admit cards and question papers without any lapses.
In its latest communication, the Board has directed all affiliated schools to download and distribute admit cards to students well in advance of the examinations. Schools have been instructed to verify all details mentioned on the admit cards and immediately rectify any discrepancies through the prescribed process.
CBSE has made it clear that students must carry their admit cards to the examination centre on all exam days. Entry to the examination hall will not be permitted without a valid admit card. In case a student fails to produce the document, they may be marked "Absent" in the concerned subject.
The Board has also placed responsibility on school principals and centre superintendents to ensure that question papers are handled confidentially and distributed strictly as per guidelines. Any negligence in the process may invite strict action under CBSE examination by-laws.
Schools have been advised to brief students about exam-day protocols, reporting time, and mandatory documents to avoid last-minute confusion.
With lakhs of students set to appear for the 2026 board examinations, the Board has reiterated that adherence to instructions is crucial to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of exams across the country.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: Will CBSE take action against schools for mistakes in paper distribution?
Yes. CBSE will take action against schools that fail to follow the Board's instructions.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: What happens if a student appears for a subject not mentioned in their Admit Card?
If a student appears in a subject not mentioned on the Admit Card, they will be marked “Absent” in the subject listed on the Admit Card. The examination taken in the incorrect subject will be cancelled, and the result will be declared accordingly.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: Does this rule apply only to Mathematics?
No. The same rule applies to other subjects like English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, and any subject that has separate subject codes with different syllabi.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: Can Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic papers be exchanged?
No. Under no circumstances should Mathematics Standard be given instead of Mathematics Basic, or vice versa.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: What is CBSE's key instruction regarding the Mathematics question paper?
The question paper given to students must strictly match the subject mentioned in their Admit Card. No interchange is allowed.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: Students Skipping First Exam Cannot Appear For Second Class 10 Board
The CBSE has issued a clarification regarding Class 10 board examinations starting 2026, with the first board exams set to begin tomorrow. In response to requests from students seeking permission to appear directly in the second board examination due to unavoidable reasons, the CBSE has outlined clear rules regarding eligibility.
Key points of the CBSE clarification include:
- Mandatory First Exam: All students must appear in the first board examination.
- Improvement Opportunity: Passed and eligible students may improve their scores in up to three subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages.
- "Essential Repeat" Category: Students who do not appear in three or more subjects in the first exam will not be allowed to sit for the second board examination. These students will be placed in the Essential Repeat category and can only take the main examination next year in February.
- Compartment Category: Students whose first examination results are "Compartment" will be allowed to appear in the second exam under the Compartment category.
- No Additional Subjects: After passing Class 10, students cannot appear in stand-alone additional subjects.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE:Traffic Advisory Amid AI Summit
With the India AI Summit scheduled from February 16 to 20, overlapping with board exams, the Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory to minimise disruptions. Students carrying their admit cards or date sheets will receive assistance to ensure smooth movement to examination centres. Police have coordinated with the Education Department and briefed schools and nodal officers for effective management.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: How many subjects are being conducted this year?
A total of 83 subjects are being conducted for Class 10 and 120 subjects for Class 12.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: What are the exam timings?
The exams will be conducted from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM in a single
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Day 1 Exam Schedule
- Class 10: Mathematics (Standard and Basic) - 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM
- Class 12: Biotechnology Entrepreneurship - 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM; Shorthand (English/Hindi) - 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: What is the reporting time at examination centres?
Students must reach centres well before 10 AM, as entry will close sharply at that time.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: What are the first-day papers?
Class 10 students are appearing for Mathematics (Basics) and Mathematics (Standard), while Class 12 students have Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies.
CBSE Board Exams 2026 LIVE: When are the CBSE Board Exams 2026 starting?
CBSE board exams for Classes 10 and 12 begin today, with over 43 lakh students scheduled to appear across India and in 26 countries abroad. Exams will start at 10:30 AM, and students are advised to reach their respective centres by 10:00 AM.
