Download the official CBSE 10th and 12th Date Sheet 2025 & 2026โ27 PDF released by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) at cbse.gov.in. Find the complete subject-wise examination time table, morning shift timings (10:30 AM to 1:30 PM), gap days between major papers, practical exam schedules, and official board instructions for regular and private students.
๐ CBSE Board Examinations Quick Highlights:
- Official Authority: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE, New Delhi)
- Official Portals:
cbse.gov.in&cbseacademic.nic.in - Classes Covered: Secondary (Class X) & Senior Secondary (Class XII)
- Theory Exam Mode: Offline Pen & Paper (Single Shift: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM / 12:30 PM)
- Question Pattern: 50% Competency-Based Questions (NEP 2020 framework)
- Reading Time: 15 minutes question paper reading time (10:15 AM to 10:30 AM)
1. CBSE Class 10 & 12 Board Exam Schedule Overview
The Central Board of Secondary Education conducts the annual board examinations for Class 10 and Class 12 starting in mid-February every year. The board ensures sufficient preparatory gap days between core subjects to minimise student stress:
| Examination Event | Class 10 Schedule | Class 12 Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Practical Exams / Internal Assessment | 1st January onwards | 1st January onwards |
| Theory Exam Commencement | 15th February | 15th February |
| Theory Exam Conclusion | Mid March | Early April |
| Exam Timing (Single Shift) | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM (80 Marks) 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (50 Marks) | 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM (70/80 Marks) 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (30 Marks) |
| Answer Sheet Distribution | 10:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Question Paper Reading Time | 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM (15 Mins) | 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM (15 Mins) |
2. CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet (Major Subjects)
Class 10 board examinations feature core academic subjects. Below is the standard sequence and blueprint followed by the CBSE Examination Controller:
| Subject Code & Name | Exam Timing | Total Marks | Official SQP & Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Painting (049) / Minor Languages | 10:30 AM โ 12:30 PM | 30 Theory + 70 Practical | Download SQP โ |
| Hindi Course-A (002) / Course-B (085) | 10:30 AM โ 1:30 PM | 80 Theory + 20 Internal | Hindi SQP & MS โ |
| English (Lang & Lit) (184) / Comm (101) | 10:30 AM โ 1:30 PM | 80 Theory + 20 Internal | English SQP & MS โ |
| Science (086) | 10:30 AM โ 1:30 PM | 80 Theory + 20 Internal | Science SQP & MS โ |
| Social Science (087) | 10:30 AM โ 1:30 PM | 80 Theory + 20 Internal | Social Science SQP โ |
| Mathematics Standard (041) / Basic (241) | 10:30 AM โ 1:30 PM | 80 Theory + 20 Internal | Maths SQP & MS โ |
| Computer Applications (165) / IT (402) | 10:30 AM โ 12:30 PM | 50 Theory + 50 Practical | IT & Computer SQP โ |
3. CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet (Science, Commerce & Arts)
Class 12 examinations are conducted across Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams with distinct practical and theory marking schemes:
| Stream | Subject & Code | Marks Distribution | Official SQP & Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Stream | Physics (042) | 70 Theory + 30 Practical | Physics Papers โ |
| Chemistry (043) | 70 Theory + 30 Practical | Chemistry Papers โ | |
| Mathematics (041) | 80 Theory + 20 Internal | Mathematics Papers โ | |
| Biology (044) | 70 Theory + 30 Practical | Biology Papers โ | |
| Commerce Stream | Accountancy (055) | 80 Theory + 20 Project | Accountancy Papers โ |
| Business Studies (054) | 80 Theory + 20 Project | Business Studies โ | |
| Economics (030) | 80 Theory + 20 Project | Economics Papers โ | |
| Arts / Humanities | History (027) | 80 Theory + 20 Project | History Papers โ |
| Political Science (028) | 80 Theory + 20 Project | Political Science โ | |
| Geography (029) | 70 Theory + 30 Practical | Geography Papers โ | |
| Common Core | English Core (301) | 80 Theory + 20 ASL | English Core Papers โ |
| Computer Science (083) / IP (065) | 70 Theory + 30 Practical | CS & IP Papers โ |
4. How to Download Official CBSE Date Sheet PDF from cbse.gov.in
Follow these official steps to download the verified CBSE examination time table PDF without relying on unverified social media rumours:
- Visit the official CBSE central portal at cbse.gov.in.
- Click on the Main Website (เคฎเฅเคเฅเคฏ เคตเฅเคฌเคธเคพเคเค) link.
- Under the “Latest @ CBSE” announcement section, look for the active circular: “Circular and Date Sheet for Board Examination (Class X & XII)”.
- Click on the PDF icon to open the complete datesheet document.
- Download and save the PDF, or take a printout to display on your study desk.
5. Crucial CBSE Board Exam Day Guidelines
- Mandatory Reporting Time: Students must reach the allotted examination centre by 9:45 AM. The centre entry gates are strictly closed at 10:00 AM sharp. No candidate is permitted inside after 10:00 AM under any circumstances.
- Admit Card (Hall Ticket): Carry the original printed CBSE Admit Card duly signed by the student, parent, and school principal. Students must wear proper school uniform and carry school identity cards.
- Permitted Stationery: Transparent pouches containing blue/black ballpoint pens, pencils, eraser, scale, and geometry box. Transparent water bottles and analog wrist watches are allowed.
- Strictly Prohibited Items: Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, earphones, calculators, and loose sheets or notes. Possession of any electronic item inside the hall leads to cancellation under Unfair Means (UFM) rules.
- Reading Time Utilisation: The 15 minutes between 10:15 AM and 10:30 AM should be used exclusively to read question paper choices, analyze competency-based case studies, and plan answer time allocation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What are the passing marks for CBSE Class 10 and Class 12?
Ans: For Class 10, a candidate must obtain an aggregate of 33% marks (Theory + Internal Assessment combined) in each subject. For Class 12, a student must secure at least 33% marks separately in Theory and 33% marks separately in Practical/Project, along with 33% overall.
Q2: Where can I download official CBSE Sample Papers with Marking Schemes?
Ans: You can download official subject-wise papers on CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers and CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers.
Q3: Will CBSE conduct board exams twice a year?
Ans: In accordance with the Ministry of Education’s NEP 2020 recommendations, CBSE is introducing bi-annual board examination options to reduce stress and allow students to retain their best score. Official schedules and modalities are published on cbse.gov.in.