CBSE Board Examinations 2026 Kick Off with Record Participation
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) officially launched the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This annual academic milestone sees lakhs of students from across India and numerous international locations participating in the rigorous testing process.
Massive Student Turnout Across Both Classes
According to the latest data released by the board, an impressive 25,08,319 students are registered for the Class 10 examinations. These candidates will be tested across 83 different subjects at 8,075 examination centres nationwide and abroad. The gender distribution reveals 14,08,546 male candidates and 10,99,773 female candidates.
For the Class 12 examinations, the numbers are equally substantial. A total of 18,59,551 students are appearing across 120 subjects at 7,574 centres. This cohort includes 10,27,552 male candidates and 8,31,999 female candidates.
When combined, these figures indicate that over 43.6 lakh candidates are undertaking the CBSE board examinations in 2026, highlighting the board's extensive reach and importance in the Indian education system.
Examination Schedule and First-Day Subjects
All CBSE board examinations are being conducted in a single shift from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Students must note that entry to examination centres closes promptly at 10 am. To ensure a smooth start, candidates have been strongly advised to arrive at their designated centres 25 to 30 minutes early to avoid any last-minute delays or complications.
The first-day papers for Class 10 include Mathematics (Basic and Standard), while Class 12 students are tackling Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, and Shorthand (English and Hindi).
Essential Guidelines and Prohibited Items
CBSE has issued a comprehensive set of instructions that all candidates must strictly adhere to throughout the examination period. A hard copy of the admit card is mandatory for entry on every examination day; without it, students will not be permitted to enter the centre.
Students are required to:
- Wear their official school uniform
- Carry their valid school identity card
- Bring their own stationery supplies
- Carry a transparent water bottle if needed
Electronic items are strictly prohibited, including mobile phones, smart watches, calculators, and any communication devices. Candidates found possessing such items will face immediate disqualification from the examination.
Additionally, students will receive 15 minutes to read the question paper before the writing period begins. All answers must be written using only blue or black ink pens to ensure proper scanning and evaluation.
Delhi Traffic Advisory for Smooth Student Movement
In light of the ongoing AI Impact Summit and VVIP movements near Bharat Mandapam, the Delhi Police has issued a special traffic advisory to facilitate the smooth transit of examination candidates. Ten schools located on major VVIP routes have been identified for special attention, with traffic police officers deployed to assist students and staff.
Students carrying their CBSE admit cards or date sheets will receive priority at traffic checkpoints. The advisory covers schools in areas including Tilak Marg, Vinay Marg, Pandara Road, Africa Avenue, Delhi Cantt, and nearby zones. Students are encouraged to coordinate with their schools to plan optimal travel routes.
Major Policy Changes: Class 10 Dual Board Exams
Starting from 2026, CBSE has implemented a dual-board examination system for Class 10 as part of the National Education Policy 2020 reforms. The board has clarified that appearing in the first board examination is mandatory for all students.
Students who fail to appear in at least three subjects during the first exam will be placed in the Essential Repeat category and will not be eligible to participate in the second examination. Those who pass the first exam can improve their scores in up to three subjects during the second examination. Compartment students will also be allowed to appear in the second exam under existing regulations.
CBSE has explicitly stated that no exemption requests from the first attempt rule will be accepted, emphasizing the importance of this new policy.
Digital Transformation: On-Screen Marking for Class 12
A significant innovation this year is the introduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 answer sheets. Under this advanced system, answer books will be scanned page by page and evaluated digitally on a secure platform. Examiners will assess answers directly on screen using secure login credentials.
With over 10 crore answer booklets expected, CBSE anticipates that digital evaluation will significantly reduce errors, improve monitoring efficiency, and accelerate result declaration. All pages, including blank ones, will be scanned to maintain complete transparency throughout the evaluation process.
Important Writing Instructions for Digital Evaluation
While the examination pattern remains unchanged, CBSE has provided specific guidelines to ensure compatibility with the new digital system:
- Map sheets for subjects like History and Geography must be attached at the end of the answer book
- Answers must be written question-wise and within the designated sections
- Writing outside specified areas may negatively impact evaluation during scanning
The board has assured that this new digital approach will help minimize evaluation mistakes and reduce post-result complaints, ultimately benefiting students through more accurate and timely results.
Final Advice and Caution Against Rumours
CBSE has issued a stern warning to students and parents regarding unverified information circulating on social media. The board advises everyone to trust only official communications from CBSE and disregard rumours about paper leaks or unofficial question papers.
Students are encouraged to remain calm, focused, and diligent in following all examination instructions. With proper preparation and adherence to guidelines, candidates can navigate these important examinations successfully.
