New Delhi: In a major update that has sent ripples through the student community on New Year’s Day, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a revision to the date sheet for the upcoming Class 10 and 12 Board Exams 2026.
According to the notification released late last night, the exams which were earlier scheduled to clash with certain competitive entrance tests have been rescheduled. This is a must-read alert for all students preparing for the February-March session.
Key Changes in Class 12 Schedule
The biggest change is for Class 12 Science and Humanities streams.
- Physics Exam: Originally scheduled for February 24, it has been reportedly shifted to February 27, 2026, to give students more preparation gap.
- Mathematics: The crucial Maths paper has been moved to March 9, 2026.
- J&K Students: This comes as a relief for students in Jammu & Kashmir who had requested changes due to potential snowbound road closures in late February.
Class 10 Revised Dates
- Science: Now scheduled for March 2, 2026.
- Social Science: Preponed to March 7, 2026.
- Last Exam: The Class 10 boards will now officially conclude on March 18, 2026, instead of the earlier March 21.
How to Download the New Date Sheet
Students are strictly advised to discard the old PDF and download the new one immediately:
- Visit the official website: cbse.gov.in
- Click on the “Main Website” tab.
- Look for the notification: “Circular: Revised Date Sheet for Board Exams 2026”.
- Download the PDF and check your subject codes carefully.
Impact on JEE/NEET Aspirants
Experts suggest this revision was done to ensure Class 12 exams do not clash with the JEE Main (Session 2) dates, which are expected to be held in early April 2026. The new schedule wraps up major papers by March end, giving aspirants ample time for entrance prep.
Official Advice
“Students should not panic. The changes are minor and in their favor. Please rely only on the date sheet available on the official website, not on WhatsApp forwards,” stated a CBSE Controller of Examinations representative.
FAQs
No, only specific major subjects like Physics, Maths (Class 12), and Science (Class 10) have been rescheduled. Language papers remain largely unchanged.
No. Practical exams will proceed as per the schedule already given to schools (Jan 1 to Feb 14).
Yes. CBSE schools in Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh follow the central date sheet. State Board (JKBOSE) dates are separate.
Disclaimer
This update is based on the latest notification circulars from CBSE and reports from leading education portals as of January 1, 2026. Always cross-check with your school administration.
