The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued the tentative datesheet for the 2026 Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations, offering an unprecedented early roadmap for one of India’s largest academic exercises.

According to the notification, the exams are scheduled to run from February 17 to July 15, 2026, covering not only the main board exams but also supplementary papers for Class 12, second board examinations for Class 10, and dedicated assessments for sports students.

With nearly 45 lakh students across 204 subjects expected to appear from India and 26 other countries, the 2026 session marks one of CBSE’s most expansive exam cycles.

Alongside written tests, the board will conduct practicals, evaluations, and result-related processes to ensure timely declaration.

Why an early datesheet?

CBSE said the tentative schedule, drafted on the basis of Class 9 and Class 11 registration data, is designed to help students structure their preparation and give schools and teachers greater clarity.

The board highlighted multiple advantages of releasing the plan early:

Students can chart structured study schedules for stronger preparation.

Schools gain time to align academics and deploy staff for examination duties.

Teachers can better balance professional commitments with personal schedules.

A push for structured preparation

While CBSE has previously issued exam guidelines ahead of time, the 2026 calendar stands out for its scale. With more than 45 lakh examinees, the board has underscored the need for “systematic preparation and coordination among stakeholders.”

The final datesheet will be released closer to the examinations, but this advance framework, CBSE believes, will reduce uncertainty and instil discipline in the run-up to the crucial board exams.