The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) commenced the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This year, lakhs of students from across India and overseas are set to appear for the exams.

According to board data, 25,08,319 students are appearing for the Class 10 examinations across 83 subjects at 8,075 centres. This includes 14,08,546 male candidates and 10,99,773 female candidates.

According to CBSE records, a total of 25,08,319 students will appear for Class 10 exams across 83 subjects at 8,075 centres, comprising 14,08,546 boys and 10,99,773 girls.

For Class 12, 18,59,551 students will be appearing across 120 subjects at 7,574 centres, including 10,27,552 boys and 8,31,999 girls.

The Board has provided detailed guidelines for candidates to ensure a smooth examination process. Students must reach their respective exam centres on time, as entry will not be permitted after 10 am for the morning session. The examinations are scheduled to start at 10.30 am.

CBSE 2026 board exam schedule and timings

  • Exam commencement: 17 February 2026
  • Exam shift: 10.30 am (single shift)
  • Class 10 exams: 17 February – 18 March 2026
  • Class 12 exams: 17 February – 4 April 2026

Also Read: CBSE Class 10 & 12 board exams 2026: Complete revised schedule and subject-wise dates 

CBSE examination rules: Electronics and writing instructions

Candidates are prohibited from bringing mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, or any electronic communication devices into the examination hall. Those found in possession of such items will be barred from taking the test.

Students will be allotted 15 minutes to read the question paper before beginning to write. All answers must be recorded using either blue or black ink pens.

During the reading time, students can:

  • Review all sections of the question paper carefully.
  • Examine internal choices provided.
  • Strategically plan the order of attempting questions.

Students appearing for the examinations are required to wear their school uniform and carry their school identity card at all times. They must bring their own stationery and, if necessary, may carry a transparent water bottle.

CBSE Class 10 Exam Bell Pattern

  • A long bell at 10.30 am signals the official start of the exam.
  • A long bell will also mark the conclusion of the paper.
  • Short bells will indicate various time intervals during the test.
  • A warning bell will ring 15 minutes before the end of the examination.

Students are encouraged to pay attention to these signals and manage their time effectively across all sections.

CBSE OSM guidelines: Key writing instructions for students

Under the CBSE’s OSM guidelines, students must adhere to specific writing instructions even though the exam pattern remains unchanged. Map sheets for subjects such as History and Geography should be securely attached at the end of the answer booklet. Answers need to be written according to each question and within the allotted sections, as writing outside the designated areas could impact evaluation during the scanning process.