CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026 Underway with New Two-Phase System and Revised Guidelines

Class X CBSE Board Exam began on 17th February 2026. Find out the latest developments, exam paper analysis, complete date sheet and other updates here.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) continued its Class 10 board examinations for the 2025-26 academic year on February 18, 2026, with the Home Science theory paper conducted from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM across thousands of centres nationwide. This follows the successful commencement on February 17 with Mathematics (Standard and Basic), as part of the ongoing exams running until March 11, 2026, in the mandatory first phase, involving over 25 lakh candidates including approximately 14 lakh boys and 10.9 lakh girls.

Home Science Exam Conducted Smoothly

The CBSE class 10th board exam for Home Science examination proceeded today, 18th February 2026, without reported issues. Students adhered to standard protocols, arriving by 10:00 AM with original admit cards, while gates closed at 10:00 AM and no electronic devices or prohibited items were permitted. The 70-mark theory paper covered key syllabus units:

• Human Growth & Development – II: 12 marks
• Management of Resources: 12 marks
• Food and Personal Hygiene: 8 marks
• Meal Planning: 13 marks
• Food Safety and Consumer Education: 12 marks
• Care and Maintenance of Fabrics and Apparel: 13 marks

The remaining 30 marks come from practicals completed between January 1 and February 14, 2026.

Reflections on Day 1: Mathematics Paper

The CBSE 10th board exams opened with Mathematics on February 17, 2026, where students and educators described the overall difficulty as moderate and NCERT-centric. The Standard paper was generally viewed as balanced and manageable, with competency-based questions testing analytical skills effectively. In contrast, some found the Basic paper more challenging due to lengthy calculations and complex graph-based questions. Feedback highlighted no out-of-syllabus content, though time management was crucial in sections with case studies and application-oriented problems.

Two-Phase Examination System in Effect

CBSE has implemented a two-phase structure for 10th board exams in 2026 to reduce pressure and provide improvement opportunities. The first phase (February 17 to March 11) remains mandatory for all candidates. According to clarifications from CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj, students failing to appear in three or more subjects in Phase 1 receive “Essential Repeat” status and cannot participate in the optional second phase (May 15 to June 1, 2026).

Eligible students may improve performance in up to three subjects, including core areas like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages. Both phases share the same syllabus, pattern, and question types, with final results based on the best scores.

Upcoming Papers and Key Reminders

CBSE Class X Boards Datesheet

Here is the remaining schedule for class 10th board exam:

Written by Aayush Kukreja

Aayush is a writer and content strategist who turns personal stories into brand narratives. With an experience spanning diverse industries, rely on his writing for simplifying complex subjects & get in-depth insights - always with sharp wit.

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