The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued an advisory cautioning students, parents, and schools against the circulation of fake news and rumours related to the Board Exams 2026.

While the Engineering Graphics, Horticulture, and Cost Accounting examinations will conclude at 1:30 PM, the classical dance papers will end at 12:30 PM.

The CBSE board examinations will enter their third day today, beginning at 10:30 AM. Only Class 12 examinations are scheduled for the day, as there are no papers for Class 10.

The Class 12 Engineering Graphics examination will be conducted from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Examinations in Indian classical dance forms - Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Odissi and Kuchipudi - will be held from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The Horticulture and Cost Accounting papers are also scheduled from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Principal Dr Alka Kapur of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, stated that the Class 12 Physical Education question paper was balanced, well-structured, and adequately covered the prescribed syllabus.

"Several questions were direct and concept-based, enabling students to attempt them with clarity and confidence. Some multiple-choice questions required higher-order thinking skills. The overall standard of the paper was balanced and reasonable. Students managed their time effectively and completed the paper within the allotted duration. In conclusion, the examination was fair and appropriate for Grade 12 students, successfully assessing their knowledge and understanding of the subject," she added.

Sakshi Gupta, HOD, Physical Education and Sports Science, Global Indian International School, Noida described the paper as relatively easier than last year and well-structured in terms of content and difficulty.  

"The question paper covered the entire CBSE-prescribed syllabus, and no questions were outside the expected curriculum. Students who had prepared sincerely and attended regular classes were able to attempt the paper confidently. Overall, the paper was student-friendly and fairly balanced. Regular preparation and conceptual clarity were adequately rewarded, and students were able to complete it comfortably within the stipulated time," she said.

Nariender Tokas, HOD of Physical Education, DPS Sector 45 Gurugram, said the Class 12 Physical Education question paper was well-balanced and largely aligned with the prescribed syllabus. Most sections featured direct and concept-based questions, allowing students to attempt them with clarity and confidence. While the MCQ section was slightly tricky and required careful reading, it remained manageable for well-prepared students.

Shyam Rajan Varghese, PGT Physical Education at JAIN International Residential School, Bengaluru, shared an analysis of the CBSE Class 12 Physical Education (Theory) paper, describing it as balanced, syllabus-oriented, and competency-based.

"The Physical Education examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education was balanced, syllabus-oriented, and competency-based. The 70-mark paper included multiple-choice, short answer, case study, and long answer questions, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of students' knowledge and application skills," he said.

He added, "Students found Section A (MCQs) mostly straightforward and scoring, except for 3-4 questions with multiple correct options. Sections B and C tested conceptual clarity from core topics such as sports nutrition, yoga, biomechanics, psychology, and training methods. The case study section required analytical thinking and practical application, moderately challenging students. Long answer questions demanded structured responses and effective time management."

Varghese noted that the paper covered the entire syllabus, with no out-of-syllabus questions. "It rewarded students with clear understanding and systematic preparation, reflecting CBSE's emphasis on concept-based and skill-oriented assessment," he said.

He concluded, "Overall, the examination was moderate in difficulty-neither overly simplistic nor excessively tough. Students with strong conceptual understanding and consistent preparation are expected to score well. The paper reflects CBSE's progressive assessment approach, emphasizing understanding, application, and analytical thinking over rote memorization-a positive step toward holistic education in Physical Education."

The Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations continued on the second day today, with Class 10 students appearing for the Home Science paper and Class 12 students taking the Physical Education exam from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The examinations began on February 17, with over 43 lakh students registered-approximately 25 lakh in Class 10 and 18.5 lakh in Class 12. The exams are being conducted across 8,074 centres for Class 10 and 7,574 centres for Class 12.

Shaifali Bhatt, Head of the Mathematics Department at Delhi Public School Sector 45, said the Class 10 Mathematics examination (both Standard and Basic), conducted on February 17, 2026, was well-structured and aligned with the NCERT curriculum.

She noted that the paper maintained a balanced difficulty level and ensured comprehensive coverage of concepts across units. No questions were asked beyond the prescribed syllabus, which provided reassurance to students who had prepared thoroughly using NCERT textbooks and classroom practice.

According to her, the Basic Mathematics paper was comparable to the Standard paper in terms of structure and conceptual clarity. Overall, the examination effectively evaluated students' understanding and application skills without being unpredictable or ambiguous.

The Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations will be held for the second day today, with Class 10 students appearing for the Home Science paper and Class 12 students for Physical Education from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The exams began on February 17, with over 43 lakh students appearing, around 25 lakh in Class 10 and 18.5 lakh in Class 12. The examinations are being conducted across 8,074 centres for Class 10 and 7,574 centres for Class 12.

On the first day, Class 10 students appeared for Mathematics (Basic) and Mathematics (Standard), while Class 12 candidates appeared for Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies.

TGT Mathematics at Global Indian International School, Hadapsar, Pune, rated the overall difficulty level of the Grade 10 Mathematics board exam as easy to moderate.

"The Grade 10 Mathematics board exam was balanced and prepared according to the prescribed board pattern and guidelines. The overall difficulty level was easy to moderate. Most questions were concept-based and straightforward. However, the paper was slightly lengthy, making time management important for students. A question from the Triangles chapter was tricky and required careful thinking. One Probability question was also somewhat confusing. Despite this, well-prepared students were able to attempt most questions confidently. Overall, it was a fair and balanced paper," he said.

Principal Dr Alka Kapur of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, said the Mathematics examinations, both Standard and Basic, were conducted smoothly, and students appeared well-prepared. However, notable differences were observed in students' perception and performance across the two levels.

"The Mathematics (Standard) paper was balanced and well-structured, covering all prescribed topics with fair weightage across the syllabus. The case study question was aligned with NCERT concepts, and the multiple-choice questions catered to students of varying abilities, offering opportunities to score well. The paper was not lengthy, allowing students to complete it within the stipulated time. Overall, it was considered manageable and student-friendly," she said.

"In contrast, the Mathematics (Basic) paper was relatively tough and lengthy. It required extensive calculations, challenging for students who opted for the Basic level to avoid higher complexity. The graph-based question was particularly difficult. Overall, Mathematics (Basic) was considered more challenging, while Mathematics (Standard) proved easier in terms of length and complexity," she added.

According to Tanmoy Das, PGT Mathematics at Modern English School, Kahilipara, Guwahati, Assam, the recent Basic Mathematics exam was of moderate difficulty, offering a fair balance between foundational concepts and critical thinking. While the paper followed a familiar structure, the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were notably lengthy, requiring careful analysis and time investment. Case study questions were clear and familiar, reflecting scenarios students had practiced, making them approachable.

The five-mark section included straightforward questions that allowed students to demonstrate their knowledge, though a question on circles introduced a tricky element testing higher-order thinking. Short-answer sections were balanced, with 3-mark questions moderately challenging and 2-mark questions easy and direct. A probability question in the 2-mark section evaluated students' ability to apply concepts to practical scenarios. Overall, the paper rewarded students who focused on consistent practice and application-based learning.

According to the faculty of JAIN International Residential School, Bengaluru, Vamanrao S Patil (TGT) and Benasir P A (TGT) said the Class 10 Mathematics examination was of moderate difficulty and easier compared to last year.

"The Grade 10 Mathematics exam conducted today was of moderate difficulty and comparatively easier than last year's paper. The question paper comprehensively covered the entire syllabus and relied largely on NCERT content, enabling well-prepared students to attempt most questions confidently. The Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and most two-mark questions were straightforward and concept-based, accessible to students with a clear understanding of fundamental concepts. However, the final two questions in Section D were relatively challenging, requiring detailed steps, structured presentation, and deeper conceptual clarity," they said.

"Section E, featuring case-based questions, demanded careful reading, analytical thinking, and effective time management. Though rooted in NCERT concepts, these questions tested students' ability to apply mathematical understanding in real-life scenarios. Overall, while most of the paper was manageable, Sections D and E required additional time and thoughtful interpretation. Students with thorough preparation and strong conceptual understanding were well-positioned to achieve good results," they added.

CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations concluded at 1:30 PM today. On the first day, Class 10 students appeared for Mathematics (Basic) and Mathematics (Standard), while Class 12 candidates for Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies.

CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations will conclude at 1:30 PM, after which we will share the subject experts’ analysis here. On the first day, Class 10 students are appearing for Mathematics (Basic) and Mathematics (Standard), while Class 12 candidates are taking Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies.

A student in Bihar's Bettiah was denied entry at the exam centre after arriving late due to heavy traffic. The student told news agency PTI, "Three to four girls also arrived late. We are being denied entry because they say we came late and will not be allowed".

VIDEO | Bettiah, Bihar: Students reach exam centre late after getting caught in traffic, disallowed entry.
A student says, "Three to four girls also arrived late. We are being denied entry as they say we came late and will not be allowed."
(Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/AybhT3M7ck

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 17, 2026

CBSE has announced that taking the first Class 10 Board examination is mandatory for all students, and skipping three or more subjects in the first exam will make them ineligible for the second examination.

Samaira Sharma, appearing for the Class 10 Board exam, said, "This is important as Class 10 results determine the career ahead. I am hoping my exams go well. I studied 6-7 hours daily, and my syllabus was covered. Studying in the last few days was a bit hectic for me."

VIDEO | Ghaziabad: CBSE Board Exams 2026 begin from today. Students at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Vasundhara, expressed a mix of nervousness and determination as they arrived for their exam. Parents encouraged them with last-minute advice and support, helping boost their… pic.twitter.com/1gHntK0upn

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 17, 2026

CBSE has issued guidelines for students seeking to appear in the second board examination:

The CBSE Controller of Examinations, Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj, has issued a strong advisory to students, urging them to stay away from social media rumours and alleged paper leak claims. 

"Kindly guide students not to follow social media. They should focus on self-study or seek help only from teachers," said the controller of examinations.

To curb misinformation and rumours circulating on various social media platforms, the Controller said that meetings have been held with social media representatives to ensure that unverified claims are not spread. He also advised students not to believe YouTube videos claiming to show leaked question papers, stating that such content is created merely to gain views and followers.

FIR For Sharing Misinformation On Social Media

If anyone is found sharing misinformation, their details will be published on the CBSE website and an FIR will be lodged. Following this, the cyber police will monitor such online activities.

The exam controller issued instructions for examination centres:

The Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations began today, with over 43 lakh students appearing, around 25 lakh in Class 10 and 18.5 lakh in Class 12. Exams are being conducted across 8,074 centres for Class 10 and 7,574 centres for Class 12.

On the first day, Class 10 students are taking Mathematics (Basics) and Mathematics (Standard), while Class 12 students will appear for Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) advised students to reach their centres well in advance, considering traffic conditions. Entry will close sharply at 10 AM, and all exams are being held in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Class 10 exams will conclude on March 10, while 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. Among the 25 lakh Class 10 candidates, approximately 14 lakh are boys and 10.9 lakh are girls. For Class 12, around 10.2 lakh boys and 8.3 lakh girls are appearing this year.

Additionally, the CBSE has issued a clarification regarding Class 10 board examinations starting 2026. Students seeking permission to appear directly in the second board examination due to unavoidable reasons have been provided with clear eligibility guidelines.

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.

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.

Yes. CBSE will take action against schools that fail to follow the Board's instructions.

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.

No. The same rule applies to other subjects like English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, and any subject that has separate subject codes with different syllabi.

No. Under no circumstances should Mathematics Standard be given instead of Mathematics Basic, or vice versa.

The question paper given to students must strictly match the subject mentioned in their Admit Card. No interchange is allowed.

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:

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.

A total of 83 subjects are being conducted for Class 10 and 120 subjects for Class 12.

The exams will be conducted from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM in a single 

CBSE Board Exams 2026: Day 1 Exam Schedule

Students must reach centres well before 10 AM, as entry will close sharply at that time.

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 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.