CBSE board exams 2026 enter final phase as Class 10 , 12 papers conclude this week

The board examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education are entering their final phase, with Class 10 papers scheduled to conclude this week while Class 12 examinations continue across the country.

The exams began on February 17 and are being held at thousands of centres in India and abroad. According to the board’s schedule, the Class 10 examination cycle will end around March 11, while the Class 12 examinations will continue until April 10.

This year, the board has continued its shift towards competency based assessment, in line with reforms proposed under the National Education Policy. Question papers have placed greater emphasis on analytical and application oriented questions rather than purely memorisation based responses.

The board has also expanded the use of digital evaluation processes, including on screen marking of answer scripts. Officials say the move is aimed at improving accuracy and speeding up the evaluation process once examinations conclude.

Lakhs of students from CBSE affiliated schools are appearing for the exams this year. With the Class 10 schedule nearing completion, attention is now turning to the remaining Class 12 papers, which will continue through March and into early April.