The Central Board of Secondary Education has commenced the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations today, February 17, 2026. More than 46 lakh students are taking part across India as well as at exam centres in 26 other countries. Exams are scheduled to start at 10:30 AM, and candidates have been advised to reach their centres by 10:00 AM to avoid any last-minute issues.

Day-1 Examination Details

• Class 10: Mathematics (Standard and Basic) — scheduled in the morning session beginning at 10:30 AM and another session at 1:30 PM.
• Class 12: Biotechnology Entrepreneurship (morning and afternoon sessions) and Shorthand (English/Hindi) from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Schools have been asked to properly brief students and parents about travel arrangements. Students are encouraged to check their exam centre locations in advance, especially since traffic congestion may occur due to ongoing national or international events during the exam period.

New Two-Exam Policy for Class 10

Starting this year, Class 10 candidates must appear for the first board exam to qualify for the second attempt. Key aspects include:

• Compulsory First Attempt: Students must take the main exam.
• Score Improvement Option: Eligible candidates can improve marks in up to three subjects, including Mathematics, Science, Social Science, or languages.
• Essential Repeat Category: Missing three or more subjects in the first exam means students must reappear in the next main exam cycle.
• Compartment Cases: Students receiving compartment results can take the second exam accordingly.
• No Separate Additional Subjects: After passing Class 10, standalone additional subject exams are not permitted.

The board has clarified that these rules will be applied strictly without exceptions.

Strict Question Paper Distribution Rules

Authorities have directed schools to distribute question papers strictly according to each student’s admit card details. Subjects with multiple paper codes such as Mathematics Standard/Basic or different language papers must match exactly. Any mismatch could result in the student being marked absent and the exam cancelled, with disciplinary action possible against the school.

Students are advised to stay calm, follow exam instructions carefully, and plan travel in advance for a smooth examination experience.