CBSE Board Exams 2026: Students To Get Priority In Security Checks And Ticketing At Delhi Metro

Praneet Mungali, an educationist and Trustee at the Sanskriti Group of Schools, Pune, said the Physics paper assessed students' understanding and their ability to apply conceptual knowledge, analytical skills, and application-based reasoning.

He noted that the question paper was balanced, fair, and student-friendly, focusing on conceptual clarity rather than rote memorisation.

"The paper was of moderate difficulty. Most questions were direct and based on NCERT concepts, but some required deeper conceptual understanding and interpretation. Students who prepared well using their textbooks and previous years' question papers would have found it manageable," he added.

Section-wise assessment:

"Students with strong conceptual knowledge performed well. The paper was lengthy but could be attempted within the allotted time by well-prepared students," he said.

Nishant Kumar Singh, Subject Matter Expert at Seth MR Jaipuria School, Greater Noida West, rated the Class 12 Physics examination as moderate to slightly challenging.

"It was a balanced mix of conceptual recall and numerical application, emphasizing a strong understanding of fundamental principles," he said.

"The paper was well-aligned with the NCERT syllabus, ensuring that students with a firm grasp of the textbook could navigate it successfully. The distribution of questions was even across major Physics topics, including Electrodynamics, Optics, and Modern Physics," he added.

Section-Wise Assessment

Section A - Multiple Choice Questions:

The first 18 questions were straightforward and primarily concept-based, testing direct recall and simple formula applications. Questions on topics like EM wave velocity (Q1), diode resistance (Q3), magnetic flux (Q4), and de Broglie wavelength (Q10) were direct and solvable quickly by well-prepared students. However, some questions, such as the dipole rotation work (Q5), required multiple steps and conceptual clarity, making them challenging for some.

Section B - Short Answer Questions (2 Marks):

Moderate in difficulty, these questions required concise and accurate answers. Numerical problems like threshold frequency from photoelectric effect data (Q19) and circuit analysis (Q20) were standard and directly from the NCERT framework. Q21, on the phase difference effect in Young's double-slit experiment, tested conceptual understanding in a simple "what if" scenario.

Section C - Short Answer Questions (3 Marks):

This section emphasised core concepts. Students needed to explain phenomena and perform structured derivations. Textbook-based questions like the prism (Q23) and drift velocity relation (Q25) were accessible. Questions on torque on a coil (Q26) and comparing deuteron with an alpha particle (Q28) acted as differentiators, testing the ability to apply concepts comparatively. Q22 assessed fundamental EM wave derivation and properties.

Section D - Case Study Questions:

The two case-study questions (Q29 on capacitors, Q30 on moving charges) were innovative and well-structured. While initial parts were simple and data-driven, later sections required integrated understanding, testing deeper conceptual application. Time management was crucial here.

Section E - Long Answer Questions:

The 5-mark questions offered internal choices and were comprehensive and demanding. Q31 on optics required both theoretical derivation and numerical application. Q32 on electrostatics combined graph interpretation with potential energy calculations. Q33 on Modern Physics and AC circuits tested higher-order thinking with conceptual justification and intensive numerical work. The derivations, such as lens combinations and refraction at spherical surfaces, were core topics.

"Overall, the paper was well-balanced and adhered to the competency-based assessment model. It rewarded students with a strong conceptual foundation and numerical practice. While fair, it differentiated students relying on memorization from those with a genuine understanding of Physics. Time management was crucial, especially for long-answer and case-study questions," Nishant concluded.

Abhishek Sharma, Director of Academics at Newton School of Technology and head of its Robotics division, said the Physics paper appears to be well-balanced overall. About one-third of it is conceptual, which allows students who have a strong grasp of the concepts, but may struggle with mathematics, to still perform reasonably well.

He added, "The paper includes questions that connect students' learning to undergraduate programs in science and engineering, showing alignment with competitive exams. Higher-order questions are rooted in real-world applications, particularly everyday electronic and optical devices. Case-study-based questions are structured to engage students deeply."

Sharma noted that the only notable error in the paper was the unit of area in Q23b.

Anup Karda, Physics Teacher at International School Udaipur, said Sections B and C required stronger conceptual clarity.

"The overall Physics 2026 paper was moderate to difficult and fairly lengthy. Section E was easy, featuring direct questions, while Section D was of moderate difficulty. Sections B and C were slightly challenging and required stronger conceptual clarity from students," he said.

Due to the length of the paper, students had less time to devote to Section A, which many attempted towards the end. However, the language of the paper was clear and straightforward rather than complex. The numerical problems were direct and approachable, making them easier to solve. Each section carried significant weightage of derivations, which added to the length but effectively tested students' understanding," he added.

Principal Dr Alka Kapur of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, said the Class 12 Physics paper was well-balanced in content coverage and conceptual assessment.

"The Physics examination paper was overall well-balanced in terms of content and conceptual evaluation. The MCQ section required more calculation-based thinking than expected. While the questions were manageable, they demanded careful numerical evaluation and conceptual clarity. The paper leaned more towards theory rather than practical applications, with several derivations from the prescribed syllabus included," she said.

"Although the numericals were not extremely difficult, they were time-consuming and required meticulous calculations, challenging students' time management. The case study question from Optics was relatively tough. Overall, the paper was moderately easy compared to last year's exam. However, due to its length and calculation-intensive nature, completing it within the allotted time could have been slightly challenging for average students. The paper primarily assessed derivation skills, numerical ability, and higher-order thinking, making it a comprehensive evaluation of students' understanding of Physics," she added.

Pawan Choudhary, HOD Physics, Lancers Army Schools, said, "Today's Physics board examination was balanced in structure and fair in scope. A significant portion of the paper focused on direct theory and standard derivations. It allowed students who prepared sincerely and worked consistently through the syllabus to secure stable marks. However, a few questions needed to be read carefully. Performance may have been impacted by minor mistakes, such as a missed requirement or sign error, particularly for those aiming for very high scores."

He added, "The overall level can be described as above moderate. It tested not only conceptual understanding but also composure under pressure. Students should not be discouraged by minor errors. Parents can be confident that the paper remained within the syllabus. Consistent preparation remains the strongest foundation."

The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam conducted today was easy to moderate, offering a balance of scoring opportunities and conceptual checks, according to Thilak M, PGT Physics at JAIN International Residential School (JIRS).

"The paper was well within the prescribed syllabus, balanced, and provided ample opportunity to score while testing conceptual understanding in key areas," he said.

Section-Wise Analysis

Section E (5 Marks - Long Answer):

This section was highly scoring. Expected derivations from Electrostatics, Ray Optics, and EMI & AC appeared, rewarding students who practiced previous years' derivations.

Section D (Case-Based Questions):

Case-study questions on Galvanometer and Photoelectric Effect tested conceptual application rather than memorization. Prepared students would have managed these comfortably.

Section C (3 Marks):

A mix of theory and numericals, including:

These were mostly easy and expected. However, numericals on Electrostatic potential, Semiconductor diode circuits, and Total Internal Reflection (TIR) were multi-step, testing analytical and problem-solving skills.

Section B (2 Marks):

Questions on Nuclei, Dual Nature, and Wave Optics were straightforward, though the Moving Charges torque question could be tricky for below-average students.

Section A (MCQs & Assertion-Reason):

MCQs were balanced, mixing direct memory-based questions with those requiring conceptual clarity. The section was moderate overall.

Overall Assessment:

The paper adhered strictly to CBSE guidelines, covering the entire syllabus. It provided scoring opportunities for average students while testing deeper understanding for a few analytical questions. Students with consistent preparation and prior practice would have found the paper manageable.

The CBSE Class 12 Physics examination ended at 1:30 PM. A detailed analysis, including students' reactions and expert reviews, will be available soon.

The Class 10 exams for Beauty and Wellness, Marketing and Sales, Multimedia, Multi-Skill Foundation Course, Physical Activity Trainer, and Data Science papers ended at 12:30 PM. The Class 12 Physics exam is currently underway and will conclude at 1:30 PM.

The CBSE Class 12 Physics examination will end at 1:30 PM. The paper began at 10:30 AM. A detailed analysis, including students' reactions and expert reviews, will be available soon.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 Physics paper last year was of a higher difficulty level and slightly lengthy, according to Divya Bhatia, Principal of Amity International School, Saket, New Delhi.

"One four-mark case-based question on the RC circuit was out of syllabus, although a formula was mentioned. Another question that was supposed to be answered qualitatively was asked quantitatively in one of the sets. The top-scoring students appeared somewhat disheartened. Overall, I feel it was a discouraging start to the board exam," she said.

She added, "MCQs were generally moderate, but some required strong conceptual clarity."

Thilak M, Physics Educator (PGT) at JAIN International Residential School (JIRS), Bengaluru, said the CBSE Class 12 Physics paper for 2025 was of moderate difficulty, with a mix of straightforward and challenging questions.

"Multiple-choice questions were generally moderate, but some required strong conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills. The five-mark questions were not as direct as in previous years. They required logical reasoning and multi-step problem-solving, making them tough for average students. This shift indicates an increased emphasis on higher-order thinking skills (HOTS)," he said.

The CBSE Class 12 Physics examination began at 10:30 AM as part of the ongoing Board Exams 2026. The paper is being conducted in a single shift across examination centres. Detailed paper analysis, including students' reactions and expert reviews, will be available later in the afternoon.

Stressing the significance of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) practice run, CBSE said it is an important step towards ensuring operational readiness and seamless coordination at the school level. The Board urged schools and teachers to work together to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and timely compliance.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board examinations entered their fourth day today. The Class 12 Physics paper is being held alongside six Class 10 papers, Beauty and Wellness, Marketing and Sales, Multimedia, Multi Skill Foundation Course, Physical Activity Trainer, and Data Science.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 Physics question paper will contain 33 questions in total. All questions are compulsory.

The paper is divided into five sections: Section A, Section B, Section C, Section D, and Section E.

Students must appear in the first exam. Those missing three or more subjects fall under "Essential Repeat." Eligible students may improve scores in up to three subjects.

Class 10 exams end on March 10; Class 12 exams conclude on April 10.

Class 10: Mathematics (Basic and Standard), Home Science. Class 12: Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, Physical Education, Indian classical dance forms, Horticulture, and Cost Accounting.

Over 43 lakh students - around 25 lakh in Class 10 and 18.5 lakh in Class 12.

All exams are being held in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Entry closes sharply at 10 AM.

Class 12 Physics and six Class 10 papers - Beauty and Wellness, Marketing and  Sales, Multi-Media, Multi Skill Foundation Course, Physical Activity Trainer, and Data Science.