CBSE Board Exam 2026 LIVE: Feb 17 Class 10, 12 exams over; Maths MCQs 'lengthy', answer key updates

CBSE Board Exams 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the CBSE Board Exam 2026 Feb 17 Class 10 Maths, and 12th Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Shorthand papers from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. As per subject experts, the CBSE Class 10 Basic Maths question paper had “straightforward and balanced” questions, while MCQs were “lengthy.” Students will have access to question papers with solutions and unofficial answer keys soon, shared by subject experts, so that they can evaluate their probable scores.
CBSE Class 12 Physical Education paper live updates

CBSE Board exams 2026 are being held for 204 subjects for around 45 lakh students from India and abroad.

For students appearing for the CBSE board exams 2026, the board has advised students to reach the exam centres with their admit card at least half an hour before the paper begins. Over 20 lakh students are expected to sit for the exams at 8,074 centres beginning from today, February 17.

Also read CBSE Board Exams 2026: NHRC says withholding admit cards over fee dispute ‘illegal’, violates RTE Act

Exam Day Guidelines for CBSE Class 10, 12 Students

CBSE board has advised students to reach the exam before 10 am to avoid any last-minute inconvenience. Other instructions by the board are as follows.

• No student will be allowed to enter the exam centre after the reporting time, that is, 10:30 am.
• Students are not allowed to carry any electronic devices such as mobile phones, calculators, etc.
• Students must keep their CBSE admit card 2026 with them and appear for the verification on time.
• The answer booklet will be distributed 15 minutes before the paper starts. Students should use this time to fill in their details and go through the CBSE question paper.

CBSE Class 10, 12 Exam 2026: New Changes

This year, the board has introduced several major reforms in the board exam pattern, assessment, and re-evaluation process. CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026 will be conducted twice from this year. Phase 1 exams will be held from February 17 to March 11 and phase 2 exams from May 5 to 20.

As per the CBSE date sheet 2026, Class 12 exams will be conducted from February 17 to April 10. Last year, most students found the Class 10 mathematics exam to be easy in difficulty level, and expected 70 marks.

The CBSE Class 10 question paper for science and social science will be split into sections covering sub-domains for subject experts to evaluate the respective disciplines. Science has three disciplines namely, physics, chemistry, and biology; and social science includes history, geography, economics, and political science.

While the Class 10 answer paper evaluation will be done in physical mode, the board has introduced on-screen marking for Class 12 to reduce stress and provide ample time to check answer sheets.

Also read Board Exam 2026 Pattern Change: After CBSE, 5 states adopt competency-based questions, create question banks

CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam 2026: Highlights

Updates on CBSE Class 10, 12 admit card, official website, date sheet, and exam timings.