CBSE Exam Day Guidelines 2026: Class 10 & 12 Rules, Timings & Important Instructions

CBSE Exam Day Timing 2026

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the final date sheet for the CBSE Class 10th and CBSE Class 12 exams on the official website on October 30, 2025.
• CBSE has ensured that no two subjects overlap, allowing students to prepare well without any worries.
• The board examination is scheduled to start at 10:30 am. The end time will be 1:30 pm for the majority of the papers, while for some, the examinations will end at 12:30 pm.
• Students should arrive at the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the exam time and follow the CBSE exam day routine to avoid last-minute hassle.

CBSE Theory Exam Day Guidelines 2026

CBSE issues guidelines for students appearing for Class 10 and 12 board exams. Students are advised to reach the examination hall before the reporting time. Below we have provided the list of instructions based on previous data that students should follow on exam day:

• Students must verify that the subjects they have studied are listed correctly in the list submitted to the schools.

• Students are required to arrive at the examination centre at least 30-45 minutes before the reporting time specified in the CBSE datesheet 2026 for Class 10 and 12. No one will be allowed to enter the examination hall after the reporting time.

• Students must carry the admit cards issued by CBSE. Students without admit cards will not be permitted to sit in the examination.

• The answer booklets and question papers will be distributed 15 minutes before the exam starts. Students must use that time to fill in their details and go through the CBSE question paper.

• Students are strictly prohibited from bringing unfair items to the exam hall.

CBSE Exam Guidelines for Practicals

Here are the CBSE practical exam guidelines for exam centres and regional offices:

Guidelines for Examination Centres:

• The centre superintendent should prepare lists of students scheduled for practical exams by class and subject.

• Regional offices must be contacted well in advance by the centre superintendent to arrange for the appointment of an external examiner.

• Under no circumstances should an examiner be appointed independently.

• The date and timing of the practical examination should be appropriately fixed considering the examiner’s availability, the student’s convenience, and the CBSE date sheet.

• Students should be informed beforehand regarding the date and time of the practical examination.

• Regional offices must be informed about the complete plan for conducting practical exams.

Guidelines for Regional Offices:

• CBSE regional offices must share the practical examination guidelines with schools as soon as they are released by the board.

• Regional offices have to ensure that the schools complete the practical exams and upload marks within the specified schedule.

• The regional offices must confirm the appointment of external examiners before the commencement of practical examinations in class and subjects.

• Practical answer booklets must be delivered to the schools before the commencement of practical examinations by the regional offices.

CBSE Guidelines for Diabetic Students

CBSE has issued some guidelines for students suffering from Type 1 diabetes. Now, the students will be allowed to carry a few items like fruits, candies, medicines required, water bottles, glucometers, and CGM/ FGM/ insulin pumps in the examination room/hall. Below is the list that needs to be followed by the students:

• Students must provide information about having Type 1 diabetes during exam registration or submission of the CBSE LOC.

• Schools/students/parents should approach the exam centre at least one day in advance to inform the superintendent about the items that need to be carried by the students.

• On exam days, students should reach the CBSE exam centre around 45 minutes before the start time, i.e., at 9:45 am.

• Except for the attached body equipment, all other items must be kept with the assistant superintendent in a transparent box/pouch for students to access when needed.

Do’s and Don’ts at CBSE Exam Day 2026

• As per the guidelines, students must not carry any electronic devices such as mobile phones, calculators, etc.

• Students must keep the admit card with them and verify all the documents before attending the examination.

• Students are not allowed to write anything on the question papers.

• Snacks are not allowed in the examination hall. Exceptions will be made for students with diabetes.