The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a sudden change in the schedule for the upcoming 2026 board examinations. The board exams for both Class 10 and Class 12 that were originally slated for March 3, 2026, have been officially postponed. The decision, attributed to unspecified 'administrative reasons', will impact lakhs of students across the country and their preparation timelines.
Revised Dates for the Postponed Papers
In an official communication, the Board has clarified the new dates for the rescheduled examinations. Students and schools must take note of the following changes:
The Class 10 examination that was to be held on March 3 will now be conducted on March 11, 2026.
For Class 12 students, the exam postponed from March 3 has been moved to a later date. It will now take place on April 10, 2026.
The Board has emphasised that all other examination dates remain unchanged. It has instructed schools to promptly inform all concerned students and parents about this revision for necessary action.
Updated Overall Exam Schedule and Key Details
With this postponement, the complete window for the CBSE 2026 board exams has seen a slight extension, particularly for Class 12. The revised overall schedule is as follows:
Class 10 exams will be held from February 17 to March 18, 2026.
Class 12 exams will now run from February 17 to April 10, 2026. Previously, the Class 12 exams were scheduled to conclude on April 4. The extension is a direct result of the March 3 paper being moved to April 10.
All papers will be conducted in a single shift starting at 10:30 am. The Board has also noted that the provided schedule is tentative and subject to revision if circumstances demand.
Scale of the Examination and Impact
The CBSE board exams are one of the largest educational exercises in the world. For the 2026 session, an estimated 45 lakh (4.5 million) candidates are expected to appear for a total of 204 subjects across Classes 10 and 12 combined.
Such a last-minute change, while due to administrative necessities, requires students to recalibrate their revision plans. The nearly five-week gap for the postponed Class 12 paper (from March 3 to April 10) is significant. Students are advised to focus on their preparation as per the new dates and avoid any disruption in their study rhythm.
The Board's decision underscores the large-scale logistical planning involved in conducting national-level examinations and the occasional need for adjustments to ensure smooth administration.
