CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026: Datesheet, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Preparation

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026: According to the CBSE Draft Date Sheet released, the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams for the 2026 academic year is tentatively scheduled from February 17 to April 04, 2026. The Class 12 Board Exam 2026 will be held in offline (pen & paper) mode. As per the latest CBSE 12th exam pattern 2026, the question paper will include 20% MCQs, 30% Competency-Based Questions, and 50% descriptive (short/ long type) questions. The CBSE Class 12 Admit Card 2026 is expected to be released in February 2026 while the result will be released on May 20, 2026. The Central Board of Secondary Education has also released the CBSE 12th Syllabus 2025-26 on the official website. Students should start preparing for the Class 12 Exam 2026 by solving previous year question papers, CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers 2026, and CBSE 12th practice questions. Read further to know more about the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026.

Latest Updates:

• The CBSE 12th Supplementary Exams 2025 is being conducted today on July 15, 2025 for all subjects.
• The CBSE 12th Supplementary Practical Exams 2025 is going to be conducted between July 10 to 15, 2025. To know the practical dates, students need to visit their schools with their marksheet and admit card.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Highlights

The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct the CBSE 12th Board Exams 2026. The marks scored in Class 12 are used for college admissions, scholarships, and entrance exams. CBSE has released the tentative exam date sheet, pattern, and syllabus on its official website. Students should follow the latest updates and prepare according to the latest syllabus. Check out the following table for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Highlights.

CBSE Class 12 Draft Date Sheet 2026

As per the official draft date sheet released by CBSE, the Class 12 Board Exam 2026 is expected to take place from February 17 to April 04, 2026. The result is anticipated to be released by May 20, 2026. Check out the following table for the tentative date sheet for CBSE 12th Exams 2026.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026, students must generally have passed Class 11 from a recognized school affiliated with CBSE. Regular students are enrolled through their schools while Private candidates, including those who failed previous exams, want to improve their scores, or wish to appear for an additional subject, also have specific eligibility criteria to fulfill, often requiring a gap year after Class 10 or specific previous board exam details. Female candidates and PwD candidates residing in Delhi may also have special provisions for direct admission as private candidates. Check CBSE 12th Eligibility Criteria 2026

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Registration

The registration process for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 typically begins with schools submitting the List of Candidates (LOC) for their regular students through the Pariksha Sangam Portal. This usually happens around September-October of the preceding year (2025). Private candidates need to register online through a dedicated portal on the CBSE website. They must select their category, subjects, and pay the registration fee online. It is crucial for all candidates to make sure that their details are correct to avoid discrepancies.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Exam Pattern

The CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2026 will be conducted in an offline, pen-and-paper mode. Each subject will have a total weightage of 100 marks, in which theory will be of 70 marks and practical/project work for 30 marks. As per the latest CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026, the question paper will include 20% MCQs, 30% Competency-Based Questions, and 50% descriptive (short/ long type) questions. Students need to score a minimum of 33% in each subject and overall to pass. Check out the following table for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Exam Pattern.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Syllabus

CBSE has released the updated syllabus for Class 12 for the academic year 2025–26. The syllabus has been reduced in some subjects. It now includes morecompetency-based topics and real-life applications. The board has focused on conceptual understanding, skill development, and practical knowledge. Students should follow the official CBSE syllabus while preparing. NCERT books remain the main source for all subjects. Check out the following table for a brief of CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2026.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Preparation Tips

CBSE Class 12 Exam 2026 will need consistent study and smart preparation. Students must follow the latest syllabus and complete NCERT books. They should revise regularly and solve previous year question papers & sample papers. Time management and concept clarity are very important. Follow some of the key Preparation Tips given below for CBSE 12th Board Exam 2026 Preparation.

• Make a study timetable and follow it daily.
• Focus more on understanding concepts rather than just memorising.
• Revise each subject weekly to retain important topics.
• Practice sample papers and CBSE question banks.
• Attend school practicals and internal assessments seriously.
• Create short, crisp notes for quick revision of key points, formulas, and important concepts.
• Dedicate time for regular revision of previously studied topics to ensure better retention and recall.
• Ensure to get adequate sleep, eat nutritious meals, and take short breaks to avoid burnout and maintain focus.
• Do not hesitate to ask teachers, friends, or refer to additional reference books and resources for any doubts or difficulties.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Admit Card

The CBSE Class 12 Admit Card for the 2026 board exams is expected to be released in the first week of February 2026. Regular students will typically receive their admit cards from their respective schools. Private candidates can download their admit cards online from the official CBSE website, cbse.gov.in.

The CBSE 12th Admit Card 2026 is a mandatory document for appearing in the examination and contains important details such as the student's name, roll number, exam dates, timings, and the address of the exam center. Students must carefully verify all the information on the admit card and report any discrepancies to their school authorities or the concerned CBSE regional office immediately. Private Students can follow the steps given below to download their CBSE 12th Admit Card 2026.

1. Visit the official website at cbse.gov.in.
2. On the homepage, look for the ‘Private Candidate’ section.
3. Find the admit card link for CBSE Class 12 Admit Card and click on it.
4. Enter login details like application number and date of birth or other required details.
5. Click on the ‘Submit’ option.
6. The CBSE 12th Admit Card 2026 will appear on the screen.
7. Download and take a printout of it for future use.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 Result

The CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 is expected to be released by May 20, 2026. The board will declare the results online on its official websites. The CBSE 12th Result 2026will show subject-wise marks, grades, and overall percentage. Students must pass in all subjects to receive the final mark sheet. Those who fail in one or two subjects may appear for compartment exams.

Alternatively, students can access their digitally signed marksheet through the DigiLocker app or UMANG app by logging in with the registered mobile number or Aadhaar and security PIN provided by their respective school. CBSE also provides an SMS facility where students can get their results by sending an SMS in a specific format to a designated number. Follow the steps given below to check CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 online via the official website.

1. Visit the official CBSE result portal at cbseresults.nic.in.
2. Click on the link for “Senior School Certificate Examination (Class XII) 2026.”
3. Enter roll number, school number, and admit card ID to log in.
4. Click on “Submit” to view the result.
5. Download and print the result for future use.

CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 FAQs