CBSE Board Exams 2026 to Begin on February 17, First Paper Mandatory, Retest Window Defined

The Central Board of Secondary Education has confirmed that the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations for 2026 will begin on February 17, marking a shift in the examination framework aimed at giving students greater academic flexibility while retaining strict eligibility norms.

Under the revised structure announced by the Central Board of Secondary Education, all students appearing for the board exams will be required to take a compulsory first examination. This initial attempt will be treated as the main board examination and is mandatory for all registered candidates.

The board has also clarified the scope of reattempts. Students who appear in the first exam will be eligible to reattempt specific subjects in a second examination window, subject to prescribed conditions. The reattempt option is not automatic and is intended primarily for students seeking score improvement or those unable to perform to expectation in selected subjects during the first sitting.

As per the rules, students can reappear only in a limited number of subjects. The board has capped the maximum number of subjects that can be reattempted, ensuring that the second examination remains a focused improvement exercise rather than a full-scale repetition of the board exams. Details on subject eligibility, application timelines, and fee structure will be notified separately through official circulars.

The marks obtained in the better of the two attempts will be considered for the final result, where applicable. Students must, however, clear the compulsory first examination to remain eligible for the second attempt. Candidates absent from the first exam without valid reasons will not be allowed to directly appear for the reattempt phase.

CBSE has emphasised that the revised system is designed to ease academic pressure while preserving the credibility of the board examination process. Schools have been instructed to brief students and parents thoroughly about the new rules, eligibility conditions, and timelines to avoid confusion during the 2026 examination cycle.

With the February 17 start date now fixed, schools are expected to align their academic calendars, internal assessments, and preparatory schedules accordingly. The board will release the detailed date sheet and operational guidelines in the coming months.