CBSE Board Exam 2026: What’s new for Class 10, 12 students? check key changes and new rules here

Published on: Feb 11, 2026 1:51 PM IST

By HT Education Desk | Edited by Papri Chanda

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The Central Board of Secondary Education has made various changes this year for the CBSE Board Exam 2026. The set of changes, including the addition of new rules, will be implemented in Class 10, 12 board exams this year onwards. These changes have been made in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

CBSE Board Exam 2026: What’s new for Class 10, 12 students? check key changes and new rules here (HT Photo)

The Class 10and 12 board exams begin on February 17, 2026. Around 46 lakh students from India and 26 countries will appear for the examination. The Class 10 exam will be over on March 11, and the Class 12 exam will be out on April 10, 2026.

Students who will appear for the exam can check the changes made by the Board for Class 10, 12 board exams.

Two Board Exams

This year onwards, CBSE will conduct two board exams for Class 10. The first board exam will be held in February-March 2026, and the second one will be held in May, starting May 15, 2026. The second exam will be held for 15 days. All passed, and eligible students will be allowed to improve their performance in any of the three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages.

Section-wise Question Papers

For Class 10, the Science and Social Science question papers have been divided into different sections. This decision was taken to improve the quality of evaluation. Science comprises Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and Social Science comprises History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics. Students of Class 10 will have to answer the questions for each subject separately, and subject-specific teachers will evaluate them.

On-Screen Marking (OSM)

The Board has introduced On-Screen Marking (OSM) for the evaluation of Class 12 answer books. The teachers teaching Class 10and 12 will be deployed for OSM evaluation to ensure the timely completion of the evaluation work and the declaration of results. CBSE will give training to the teachers before the start of the actual evaluation.

Measures taken for error-free evaluation

1. The Board has updated the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as per the current evaluation scheme.

2. They have assigned fewer answer books to each evaluator to allow sufficient time for quality evaluation.

3. Capacity-building programs for evaluators have been planned.

4. Short instructional videos for guidance.

5. Evaluation process to be completed in 8-10 days instead of 10-12 days like previous years.

For more related details, candidates can check the official website of CBSE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT Education Desk
For over a decade, the Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk has been a trusted source for accurate, in-depth, and timely news on education and careers. We bring the latest updates on board exams, competitive exams, results, employment news, study abroad, scholarships, and school and college admissions, helping students, job seekers, and educators make informed decisions. Our Coverage Areas 1. Board Exams & Results: Comprehensive reporting on CBSE, CISCE, and state board exams (UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and others), including schedules, admit cards, answer keys, results, and career opportunities. 2. Competitive Exams: Insights into major exams like UPSC, JEE, NEET, GATE, CAT, SAT, and state and central government services. Exam Results: Timely updates on UPSC, SSC, SBI, IBPS, NTA, IIMs, and other competitive exam results. 3. Employment News: Notifications on government and private sector jobs, vacancies, eligibility, application processes, and results. 4. Study Abroad: Information on top universities, courses, tuition fees, scholarships, visa regulations, and career prospects for international students. Features & Analysis: Opinion pieces, expert explainers, deep-dive reports, and interviews with key figures in education. 5. Breaking Education News: Real-time updates on major policy changes, institutional reforms, and trends shaping the education sector. 6. With a commitment to factual, unbiased journalism, HT Digital’s Education Desk has seen continuous growth in readership, offering credible and engaging content tailored for students, parents, and professionals. Meet the Team 1. Nilesh Mathur – News Editor A journalist with 24 years of experience, including 18+ years at Hindustan Times, Nilesh leads editorial planning, ensures factual accuracy, and enhances audience engagement through strategic content. 2. Papri Chanda – Deputy Chief Content Producer With over a decade of experience in education journalism, Papri specializes in exam-related content, study abroad insights, and education trends. She also explores new opportunities in education that benefit students. 3. Bishal – Senior Content Producer Active in the education and jobs sector since 2019, Bishal focuses on tracking developments, analyzing trends, and crafting informative content for students and job aspirants. 4. Gaurav Sarma – Deputy Chief Content Producer A multimedia journalist with 9+ years of experience, Gaurav is skilled in research-based storytelling, feature writing, and reporting on competitive exams, online courses, and education trends. At Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk, we strive to be the go-to platform for students and professionals navigating the dynamic world of education and careers.Read More

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