ISC Arts Stream 2026: Early Start for Comprehensive Assessment
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has officially unveiled the examination schedule for the Indian School Certificate (ISC) Class 12 Board exams scheduled for 2026. In a significant development for Arts and Humanities students across India, the board has announced that examinations will commence significantly earlier than previous years, beginning on February 12, 2026 and concluding on April 6, 2026.
Detailed Subject-wise Schedule for Arts Stream
The comprehensive timetable spans nearly two months, carefully accommodating the diverse range of subjects within the Arts/Humanities stream. The examination schedule has been strategically planned to allow students adequate preparation time between papers, particularly important given the extensive syllabus covering disciplines from Political Science and Sociology to Economics, History, Geography, and various creative arts.
Key examination dates include:
- English Paper 1 (English Language) - February 13, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Art Paper 3 (Drawing/Painting of a Living Person) - February 14, 2026 (9:00 AM)
- Legal Studies - February 14, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- English Paper 2 (Literature in English) - February 16, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Mass Media & Communication - February 21, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- History - February 25, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Art Paper 1 (Drawing/Painting from Still Life) - February 28, 2026 (9:00 AM)
- Fashion Designing and Indian Music - March 7, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Various Language Papers - March 13, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Art Paper 2 (Drawing/Painting from Nature) - March 14, 2026 (9:00 AM)
- Physical Education - March 18, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Economics and Biotechnology - March 23, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Sociology - March 25, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Art Paper 4 (Original Imaginative Composition) - March 28, 2026 (9:00 AM)
- Political Science - March 30, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Elective English and Hospitality Management - April 1, 2026 (2:00 PM)
- Art Paper 5 (Crafts) - April 4, 2026 (9:00 AM)
- Geography - April 6, 2026 (2:00 PM)
Strategic Preparation Guidance for Arts Students
Education experts recommend that Arts stream candidates begin their preparation early, given the extensive and conceptually dense nature of Humanities subjects. The earlier examination schedule provides both challenges and opportunities for systematic revision.
Essential preparation strategies include:
- Prioritize core Humanities subjects like History, Political Science, Sociology, and Economics early in your study schedule as these often involve complex concepts and interdisciplinary questions
- Complete portfolio and project work for creative subjects such as Fine Arts, Music, and Fashion Designing well before the examination period begins
- Create a detailed revision map using the published timetable, allocating more time to challenging subjects and ensuring breaks between closely scheduled exams
- Regularly practice with mock tests and previous years' question papers, focusing on developing writing speed and structuring comprehensive answers for essay-type questions
The complete ISC timetable for 2026 is available for download on the official CISCE website at cisce.org. Students and parents are advised to verify their specific subject codes and examination centers well in advance to avoid last-minute complications.
This revised schedule reflects the board's commitment to providing adequate assessment time for the diverse range of subjects within the Arts stream while ensuring results are declared in a timely manner to facilitate university admissions processes.
