The wait is over for lakhs of students across India. The Central Board of Secondary Education has released the final date sheet for Class 10 and 12 board exams, and there are some interesting changes this year that every student and parent should know about.
The exams will begin on February 17, 2026. Class 10 students will wrap up their exams by March 10, while Class 12 students get a bit more time, finishing on April 9, 2026.
A Welcome Change for Students
Here's something that hasn't happened before. CBSE released the final date sheet 110 days in advance. That's nearly four months of preparation time with confirmed dates. No more confusion, no more last-minute surprises.
The board had shared a tentative schedule last month, but this final version comes with some tweaks. Class 10 students get an extra day for their exams, which means a bit more breathing room between papers.
The Biggest News: Two Chances for Class 10
This is the first time CBSE is conducting Class 10 board exams twice in a single academic session. Think of it as a safety net. The second round of exams is scheduled from May 15 to June 1, 2026.
If you're worried about your performance in the first attempt, you can appear again in May. And here's the best part: you don't have to choose. Your better score from either attempt will be counted. Simple as that.
This second session replaces the old supplementary exam system. So instead of a separate compartment exam, students now have a full second chance with the same weightage.
Smart Scheduling
Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj shared that the board put serious thought into the schedule. They managed to avoid clashes across more than 40,000 subject combinations. That's a lot of permutations to handle.
The gap between subjects has been planned to give students enough time to prepare. No one wants to face two tough subjects back to back.
There's also good news for students preparing for entrance exams. The board exams will finish well before JEE and other entrance tests begin. This gives you time to shift your focus without the pressure of overlapping exams.
What Changed from the Tentative Schedule
The final date sheet has some modifications from what was announced earlier. For Class 10, subjects like Data Science, French, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Tamil, and some vocational subjects like Retail, Security, and Automotive have new dates.
Class 12 students will notice changes in the schedule for Business Studies, Business Administration, Psychology, and Accountancy.
If you had marked the old dates in your calendar, now's the time to update them.
Coordination with JEE Main
CBSE has worked with the National Testing Agency to make sure board exams and JEE Main don't clash. To help with this, NTA will ask for the Class 11 registration number when students apply for JEE Main.
All schools have been asked to provide these registration numbers to students who plan to take the engineering entrance exam. This level of coordination should reduce stress for students juggling both exams.
What This Means for You
If you're a Class 10 student, you now have options. You can take the first exam in February and March with full preparation. If things don't go as planned, you have another shot in May and June. No need to wait a full year.
For Class 12 students, the early finish date means more time for entrance exam preparation or admission processes. The pressure of board results hanging over your college plans gets reduced.
Planning Your Preparation
With 110 days notice, you can create a solid study plan. Break down your syllabus by subject and date. Figure out which subjects need more time and which ones you're comfortable with.
The gap between exams varies by subject, so use that time well. Some subjects might have longer gaps, perfect for detailed revision. Others might come closer together, so prioritize accordingly.
Remember, both phases of the Class 10 exam cover the full syllabus. The scheme of studies and examination pattern remains the same. So your preparation strategy doesn't need to change, just your mindset about having two opportunities.
No More Separate Supplementary Exams
The traditional supplementary or compartment exam system is gone for Class 10. The May-June session serves that purpose now. This change makes the process cleaner and gives students a complete second attempt rather than just a makeup exam.
The same rules apply to both sessions. Same syllabus, same pattern, same value. Your marksheet won't indicate which session you appeared in. It's a fresh attempt with full dignity.
Getting Ready
Download the official date sheet from the CBSE website. Cross-check your subject codes and exam dates. Mark them clearly on a calendar you look at every day.
Create a study timetable that accounts for the gaps between your exams. Don't waste those gaps. Use them for focused revision of the next subject.
If you're planning to take advantage of the two-session option for Class 10, decide your strategy now. Will you treat the first attempt as practice? Or will you give both attempts your full effort? There's no right answer, but having a plan helps.
The early announcement gives you time to prepare without panic. Use this advantage. Stay focused, stay organized, and remember that having clear dates means you can plan your success step by step.
