### CBSE Board Exams 2026: Key Dates and Changes Announced The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the final datesheet for the Class 10 and 12 board examinations for 2026. The exams are set to commence on **February 17, 2026**, with Class 10 exams concluding on **March 10** and Class 12 exams wrapping up by **April 9**. This announcement comes approximately **110 days** ahead of the exam start date, allowing students ample time to prepare, especially for competitive exams like JEE and NEET, which are scheduled around the same period. The board has emphasized that the new timetable has been structured to avoid overlaps with these competitive exams, ensuring a smoother experience for students [https://www.republicworld.com/education/cbse-announces-2026-schedule-class-10-12-board-exams-to-begin-from-february-17-check-fresh-format-and-new-rules][https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbse-board-exams-date-sheet-2026-final-schedule-for-class-10-12-out-cbse-gov-in-10336235]. ### Structure of the CBSE Board Exams 2026 Announcement 1. **Exam Schedule Overview** - Class 10 exams: February 17 to March 10, 2026. - Class 12 exams: February 17 to April 9, 2026. - First papers: Class 10 will start with Mathematics, while Class 12 will begin with Biotechnology and Shorthand [https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/career/news/cbse-board-10th-12th-datesheet-released-136292895.html]. 2. **Preparation and Stress Management** - The early release of the datesheet aims to reduce student stress and enhance preparation for both board and competitive exams [https://udaipurtimes.com/education/cbse-releases-board-exam-dates/cid17707899.htm]. - Sufficient gaps between subjects have been incorporated to facilitate better study schedules [https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbse-board-exams-date-sheet-2026-final-schedule-for-class-10-12-out-cbse-gov-in-10336235]. 3. **Coordination with Competitive Exams** - The CBSE has ensured that the exam dates do not clash with major competitive exams, which is a significant consideration for students aiming for higher education [https://www.republicworld.com/education/cbse-announces-2026-schedule-class-10-12-board-exams-to-begin-from-february-17-check-fresh-format-and-new-rules]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Exam Dates**: - Class 10: February 17 - March 10, 2026. - Class 12: February 17 - April 9, 2026. - **First Papers**: - Class 10: Mathematics. - Class 12: Biotechnology and Shorthand. - **Preparation Time**: The datesheet was released **110 days** prior to the exams, allowing students ample time for preparation [https://udaipurtimes.com/education/cbse-releases-board-exam-dates/cid17707899.htm][https://www.financialexpress.com/jobs-career/education/cbse-issues-board-exam-date-sheet-for-class-10th-and-12th-check-full-schedule-here/4026791]. ### Conclusion: Key Takeaways from the CBSE Board Exams 2026 Announcement 1. **Commencement Date**: The board exams for Class 10 and 12 will start on **February 17, 2026**. 2. **End Dates**: Class 10 exams will conclude by **March 10**, while Class 12 exams will end by **April 9**. 3. **Student Support**: The early release of the datesheet and the structured timetable aim to alleviate stress and enhance preparation for students facing both board and competitive exams. 4. **Strategic Planning**: The CBSE has taken significant steps to ensure that the exam schedule is conducive to student success, considering overlaps with competitive exams [https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams/cbse-class-10-board-exam-2026-final-datesheet-out-at-cbse-gov-in-check-timetable-here-101761878861425.html][https://www.financialexpress.com/jobs-career/education/cbse-issues-board-exam-date-sheet-for-class-10th-and-12th-check-full-schedule-here/4026791].