CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026: Notification, Dates, New Changes, Registration, Syllabus, Result

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026: According to the official draft, the CBSE Class 10th Exam 2026 is going to be held in two phases from 2026 onwards. The first phase of the CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 is expected to take place from February 17 to March 6, 2026, while the second phase of the CBSE Class 10 Exam 2026 will be tentatively held from May 5 to May 21, 2026. The board has released a tentative date sheet, which may be updated based on feedback from schools and stakeholders.

Additionally, CBSE approves open-book exams for class 9 students starting in the 2026-27 academic year. This means that students can carry textbooks and class notes into the exam hall and use them while taking the exam. This format applies to all subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.

Every year, the CBSE conducts CBSE Class 10 Board Exams in pen and paper mode for students in Class 10. Those who have passed their Class 9 exams from any recognised board of education and studied for a year in Class 10 are eligible to sit for the CBSE 10th board examinations. Students must pay examination fees to register for these exams. The CBSE 10th 2026 Syllabus and sample question papers for all subjects will be available on the board's official website. Students can download it and begin preparing for their Board exams in 2026. Read further to know more about the CBSE Class 10 Exam 2026 in detail. Check CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Also Read: CBSE Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year; First Phase Mandatory

Latest Updates:

• CBSE has made 75% minimum attendance mandatory for students to appear in Class 10 and 12 Board exams.
• Students must complete two years of study in Classes 9–10 and 11–12 to be eligible for board examinations.
• Internal assessment is compulsory under NEP 2020, and students without it will be placed in the Essential Repeat Category.
• CBSE has warned schools not to offer subjects without prior approval or adequate infrastructure like teachers and labs.
• In Class 10, students can take two additional subjects, while in Class 12, only one additional subject is allowed.
• The new rules aim to curb dummy schools and increase participation in classroom activities while reducing dependency on coaching institutes.

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Highlights

The CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026 will be held twice a year. The first phase will be mandatory for all students, while the second phase will be optional for improvement of marks in a particular subject/ subjects. Students can choose to improve marks in up to three core subjects. Furthermore, CBSE approved open-book exams for 9th standard students, allowing them to refocus attention on textbooks.

The Class 10 Board Exam 2026 will be conducted in offline mode for a duration of three hours. No additional exams or subjects will be allowed after passing. The exams will follow a fixed schedule, and no additional exams will be conducted for absentees. CBSE Age Criteria for Class 10 2025 is 14-16 years old. Check out the following table for CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Highlights.

What’s New in CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026?

CBSE has introduced a dual-phase exam system for Class 10 in 2026. Students can appear for both exams, and the best score will be recorded in the Class 10 Final Marksheet. Practical exams will be held only once a year. The dual-phase exam scheme is currently under review and may be finalised after stakeholder feedback. Check out the following points for the new changes made in CBSE 10th Board Exam 2025:

• Students will have the option to appear for the board exams twice a year. The first phase is mandatory, and the second is optional for improvement.
• Best marks from either phase will be recorded on the final marksheet.
• Only one practical/internal assessment will be conducted per subject.
• Students failing in 1 to 5 subjects will be placed under the Improvement Category.
• Merit certificates will be issued after the second phase for qualifying candidates.

Also Read: CBSE Syllabus 2025-26 Released, Check Major Changes in Class 10 & 12 Curriculum

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 New Guidelines

CBSE has also released new guidelines for the upcoming board exams. These guidelines aim to simplify the study process and ensure fair assessment. The same rules will apply to all students, including those with special needs and those involved in sports. The Key Guidelines for CBSE 10th Exam 2026 are as follows:

• Only one set of internal/practical exams for each subject will be conducted.
• No self-centres will be allowed; the CBSE Class 10 2026 Exam Centre will remain the same for both phases.
• Students involved in sports can appear in any one phase.
• The List of Candidates (LOC) must be completed by September 2025.
• No changes in subjects are allowed after LOC submission.
• CBSE 10th Board Exam fees are non-refundable.
• First and second exams will also serve as supplementary exams.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026: New Rules

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced new rules for the Class 10 board exams 2026. Students must now maintain a minimum of 75% attendance to be eligible for results, as attendance is linked to continuous internal assessments. The board has also introduced a dual-exam system, giving students two chances a year, and will evaluate them using a new 9-point grading scale. The New Rules and Updates for Class 10 (2026) board exam are as given below-

• Minimum 75% attendance is required to appear in the results.
• Class 10 is now treated as a two-year programme (Classes 9 & 10).
• Students can appear for the exam twice a year (February and April); the best score will be considered.
• Internal assessments will be continuous and based on class participation, projects, and tests.
• Students with low attendance may be placed in the Essential Repeat category.
• Students can take up to two additional subjects along with compulsory ones.
• Evaluation will follow a two-tier structure: 60% board exams and 40% internal assessments.
• New 9-point grading scale introduced; top 12.5% students will get grade A1.
• Passing criteria: Minimum 33% marks required in each subject.
• Greater focus on competency-based questions and practical learning.

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Dates

CBSE has shared a tentative date sheet for Class 10 board exams 2026. The exams will be held in two phases. The first phase will begin on February 17, 2026, and end on March 06, 2026. The second phase will take place from May 05 to May 21, 2026.

CBSE Class 10th Date Sheet 2026 (Phase I)

Students can check the following table for CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Date Sheet for Phase I exam. The dates given below are tentative and are subject to change as per the feedback of stakeholders.

CBSE Class 10th Date Sheet 2026 (Phase II)

Students can check the following table for CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Date Sheet for Phase II exam. The dates given below are tentative and are subject to change as per the feedback of stakeholders.

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To appear for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026, students must meet certain eligibility conditions. Regular students must be enrolled in a CBSE-affiliated school and have passed Class 9. They must also meet the attendance requirement and complete the registration process on time. Private candidates must fulfil different conditions depending on their background, such as failed students, female candidates in Delhi, or wards of CBSE teachers. Also, students often ask, “What is the maximum age limit for CBSE 10th Board Exams?”. The answer is that there is no age limit set for appearing for this exam. Check out the following table for the eligibility criteria for appearing in the CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026.

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Application Process

CBSE releases the registration forms for Class 10 Board Exams 2026 separately for regular and private students. Regular students must apply through their respective CBSE schools, while private students can apply online through the CBSE website. CBSE age criteria for class 10 is at least 14 years. Students must pay the required application fee, which has been revised to INR 1600 for five theory subjects and attach all necessary documents during registration. Only those students whose applications are accepted by CBSE will be allowed to appear in the exam. Also Read CBSE Class 10th Registration 2026

Steps to Apply for CBSE Class 10th Exam 2026 (Regular Students)

Regular students are advised to follow the steps given below to register for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026. The steps are as given below-

1. Students should contact their school to know the registration start and end dates.
2. Collect the registration form from the school authority.
3. Fill the form carefully with correct personal and academic details.
4. Paste recent passport-size photographs wherever required.
5. Attach the required documents and submit the form to the school.
6. The school will verify the documents and send them to the CBSE regional office.

Steps to Apply for CBSE Class 10th Exam 2026 (Private Candidates)

Private students are advised to follow the steps given below to register for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026. The steps are as given below-

1. Visit the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in.
2. Scroll down and click on the link for 'Private Candidates'.
3. Click 'Continue' on the next page to proceed.
4. Read all the instructions carefully and start registration.
5. Fill in all required details in the application form.
6. Upload the necessary documents and pay the application fees.
7. Save the confirmation and note the transaction details.

Documents Required

Students will need the following documents to upload/ submit during the CBSE Class 10 Registration Process 2026. The required documents are as follows-

• Aadhaar Number/ other valid government ID proof
• E-mail ID
• Address Details
• Students and Parents’ Mobile Numbers
• Photograph of students (JPEG format)
• Students’ signature

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Exam Pattern

CBSE has released the latest exam pattern for Class 10 Board Exams 2026. Each subject will carry 100 marks. Out of these, theory exams will be either 70 or 80 marks, depending on the subject, and practical/internal assessment will cover the remaining 20 or 30 marks. Internal assessments include periodic tests, notebook submissions, and subject activities. Health and Physical Education is compulsory, and marks will also be awarded based on performance in chosen physical activities. Check out the table below for CBSE Class 10th Exam Pattern 2026-

CBSE Class 10th Board Exams 2026 Syllabus

The CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 Syllabus includes five basic subjects, namely, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English, and Hindi. However, the CBSE exam is conducted in English and 17 other languages. Therefore, candidates need to give the Class 10 Board exam in the five major subjects in any language. The subject-based syllabus for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026 includes:

Check CBSE Class 10th Syllabus 2026

CBSE Class 10th Board Exams 2026 Preparation Tips

To excel in the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams, aspirants can explore the following tactics.

• Understand the Syllabus: Read over the syllabus for each subject to find significant themes.
• Create a study schedule. Set aside specified time intervals for each subject and stick to the timetable consistently.
• Practice regularly: Solve previous year's CBSE Question Papers, CBSE Class 10 Exam Sample Papers, and take mock examinations to check comprehension and time management.
• Refer to the recommended books: Use NCERT textbooks as primary study materials, and consult other reference books for in-depth insights.
• Time Management: Prioritise topics based on their strengths and limitations, ensuring that enough time is allocated to each area.

CBSE Class 10th Board Exams 2026 Admit Card

The admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the exams. Regular students can collect their CBSE Class 10 Admit Card 2026 from their respective schools after downloading it from the CBSE portal. Whereas, private students can download their admit card from the official CBSE website by entering the required credentials. As per the tentative draft released by the CBSE, the admit card for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 on April 22, 2026.

Steps to Download the Admit Card of CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026

Candidates (especially private students) should follow the following steps to download their CBSE Admit Card. The steps are as given below-

• Visit the official CBSE website (www.cbse.gov.in).
• Under the 'Infocus Tab' on the extreme right, visit the link - Admit Card, LOC, and Centre Material for Board Examination 2026 (Main).
• On the redirected page, enter the unique user ID and password issued by the board.
• Enter the security pin shown in red in the box just above it, then click 'Login'. Remember that the security pin is case sensitive.
• Once complete, the CBSE Admit Card Class 10 will be displayed on the screen.
• Print out the CBSE Board 10th Roll No. Hall Ticket PDF file.

Details Mentioned in CBSE Class 10 Admit Card 2026

Regular students should check their Class 10 Board Exam Admit Card after they receive it from their schools. Whereas, private students should check their Class 10 Admit Card before downloading it for further use. The details mentioned on the CBSE Class 10 Admit Card 2026 are as follows:

CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Answer Key

After the completion of the CBSE Class 10th 2026 Exam, the Board will release the answer keys for each paper. Students can use the CBSE Class 10 Answer Keys 2026 to calculate their estimated marks. The result will be declared after the release of the answer keys. Moreover, the CBSE Board will send the Class 10th Answer Key 2025-26 to the respective exam centres to evaluate the answers.

CBSE Class 10th Board Exams 2026 Results

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will declare the results for the Class 10 Board Exam 2026 in two phases. The result for the first exam will be announced on April 4, 2026, and the second exam result will be declared on June 6, 2026. Students can check their CBSE Class 10 exam results online at the official website at cbseresults.nic.in. To access the result, they must enter their roll number, admit card ID, date of birth, school number, and centre number. The online result will be provisional. Students are required to collect the original mark sheet from their schools a few days after the result announcement. Check CBSE Class 10th Board Exam 2026 Results

How to Check CBSE Class 10th Result 2026 Online?

Students can check their CBSE Class 10 Result 2026 online. The steps are given below:

• Visit the official website at cbseresults.nic.in.
• Click on the link for ‘Secondary School CBSE Class 10 Result 2026’.
• Enter the roll number, school number, date of birth, and centre number.
• Double-check the entered information and click Submit.
• The CBSE Class 10 Result 2026 will appear on the screen.
• Download or print the result for future reference.

Details Mentioned on CBSE Class 10th Result 2026

Students will find the following details mentioned on their CBSE Class 10 Result 2026. They are as given below:

CBSE Class 10th Board Exams 2026 FAQs