CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exams 2026 begin; students express nervousness, excitement on first day

February 17, 2026

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 and Class 12 Board examinations 2026 commenced on Tuesday, with lakhs of students appearing across the country for the first papers. The examinations are being held in a single shift from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Students Arrive Early Amid Nervousness

As the Board exams began, many students were seen arriving early at their respective centres, carrying admit cards and stationery, while several admitted to feeling anxious on the first day.

IANS spoke to a few students appearing for the Class 10 examinations outside various exam centres in the national Capital.

Sharing her emotions, one student said, “Today is the first paper for the Board exams. It’s Mathematics. I feel a mix of nervousness and excitement.”

Another student said, “We studied properly. We tried our best to pass this exam with good marks. We are a little bit nervous.”

A third student said, “I’m just feeling very nervous because it’s the first paper. I’m giving a simple Class 10 Board paper, and I’m very happy because it’s my first time and it’s also very exciting.”

Echoing similar feelings, another student said, “The preparation is complete, but I’m still feeling nervous.”

Exam Statistics and Centres

Over 43 lakh students are registered to appear this year:

• Class 10: ~25 lakh students (14 lakh boys, 10.9 lakh girls)

• Class 12: ~18.5 lakh students (10.2 lakh boys, 8.3 lakh girls)

Examinations are being conducted across:

• Class 10: 8,074 centres

• Class 12: 7,574 centres

Class 10 students are taking Mathematics (Basic and Standard) on the first day, while Class 12 papers include Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies.

Important Instructions for Students

The CBSE has advised students to reach their examination centres well in advance, keeping traffic conditions in mind. Entry to the examination centres will close sharp at 10 a.m. The Board reiterated that the exams will be held in a single shift from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and no student will be allowed inside after the reporting deadline.

Exam Schedule

• Class 10 exams: February 17 – March 10, 2026

• Class 12 exams: February 17 – April 10, 2026

• Subjects: 83 for Class 10, 120 for Class 12

CBSE had also issued directives to schools to ensure timely distribution of admit cards and question papers and to verify all details on the admit cards to avoid discrepancies.

Among the 25 lakh candidates registered for Class 10, approximately 14 lakh are boys and around 10.9 lakh are girls. In Class 12, nearly 10.2 lakh boys and 8.3 lakh girls are set to take the Board examinations this year.

Ahead of the 2026 Board exams, the CBSE had also issued a strict directive to affiliated schools, asking them to ensure the timely distribution of admit cards and question papers without any lapses.

In its latest communication, the Board instructed schools to download and distribute admit cards to students well before the examinations. Schools were also asked to verify all details printed on the admit cards and immediately rectify any discrepancies through the prescribed process.

CBSE further clarified that students must carry their admit cards to the examination centre on all exam days. Entry to the examination hall will not be permitted without a valid admit card. In case a student fails to produce the document, the candidate may be marked ‘Absent’ in the concerned subject.