New Delhi, Oct 30: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday announced that the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations for the academic year 2025–26 will commence on February 17, 2026, across India and abroad.

According to the final date sheet released by CBSE, Class 10 exams will be conducted from February 17 to March 10, while Class 12 exams will continue until April 9, 2026. All examinations will be held in the traditional pen-and-paper format, starting at 10:30 AM each day.

This year, CBSE has introduced two phases for Class 10 exams, aligning with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The board released the tentative schedule as early as September 24, 2025, allowing students and schools ample time to prepare.

The board has ensured that there is a sufficient gap between major subjects to reduce exam stress and allow better preparation. Students can download the complete timetable from the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in, without needing login credentials.

CBSE officials have emphasized that the early release of the date sheet is part of a broader effort to streamline exam logistics and improve transparency for students, parents, and educators.