CBSE Exam Rules for Class 10 and 12: New Guidelines For CBSE Exams 2026

CBSE Exam Rules for Class 10 and 12: New Guidelines For CBSE Exams 2026

Manasvini GuptaUpdated on 30 Dec 2025, 10:39 AM IST

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will soon release the detailed exam-day instructions for students appearing in the CBSE Class 10th exams and CBSE Class 12 exams 2026. Although the detailed guidelines are yet to be officially announced, some important instructions and exam-related guidelines have already been explained in the article below for students’ reference. As per the CBSE 2026 final datesheet, the CBSE Class 10 board exams will be held from February 17 to March 10, 2026, while the CBSE Class 12 board exams will commence on February 17 and conclude on April 9, 2026.

LiveCBSE 2026 Admit Card LIVE: CBSE Class 10, 12 hall tickets for private candidates declared at cbse.gov.inJan 19, 2026 | 10:16 PM IST

The CBSE Class 12 exam will be held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Physics, Chemistry, Math, English Core, Accounts, Business Studies, and other major topics all have three-hour papers that end at 1:30 PM. Shorter papers that last two hours and end at 12:30 PM include some art/music papers as well as those from other vocational fields.  
After receiving the question paper at 10:15 AM, students have fifteen minutes to review it before starting to write at 10:30 AM. Students must attend the exam location at least 30 to 45 minutes before the exam's start time, which is roughly 9:45 AM, in order to finish the required documentation.

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This Story also Contains

  1. CBSE Exam Rules for Students
  2. CBSE General Exam Rules for Schools
  3. Steps to Write Roll Number in the Answer Book
CBSE Exam Rules for Class 10 and 12: New Guidelines For CBSE Exams 2026
CBSE Exam Rules for Class 10 and 12

Students must carefully follow all CBSE exam rules and regulations while appearing for the board examinations. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website, cbse.gov.in, for the latest updates, detailed instructions, and any changes related to the CBSE Class 10 and 12 board exams 2026.

CBSE Exam Rules for Students

Some of the exam day guidelines are provided below:

  • Students will not be allowed to enter the examination centre after 10 am. Hence, they must reach the examination centre at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the examination.
  • They must come to school in uniform and carry their school identity card along with the admit card issued by the CBSE.
  • They must read and adhere to the instructions given in the CBSE admit card.
  • No student will be allowed to leave the examination hall before the examination is over.
  • All the candidates will have to maintain discipline in the examination centre, protect furniture and should not litter and ensure cleanliness.

CBSE General Exam Rules for Schools

  • The board exam will be conducted after the approval by the Chairman. The scheme of CBSE exam centres is prepared by the controller of examinations.
  • The CBSE board exams will be conducted at the centres that are approved by the board, and all the examination papers will be administered simultaneously at all the centres as per Indian Standard Time (IST).
  • As per the Affiliation Bye-Laws, the building and furniture of the affiliated schools shall be placed at the disposal of the board to conduct exams and for spot evaluation, free of charge, and the management and the Principal shall cooperate with the board in carrying out the examination and evaluation of answer scripts.
  • Schools must provide teachers to conduct examinations and evaluations of scripts.
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CBSE Do’s and Don’ts Rule in Examination Hall

  • Students are not allowed to write their names or sign in the answer book, which may disclose their identities to the examiner.

  • In case a student is found indulging in unfair means at the CBSE board exam, then their result will not be declared by the board, and it will be marked under Unfair Means (UFM).

  • Students can also be disqualified from the exam for using unfair means for that year. However, in extreme cases, the board can extend it to a maximum of 5 years or permanently ban the student from taking any examinations of the board.

Items Students can carry to the CBSE Exam Hall

  • Hall ticket/ admit card

  • Identity card

  • Blue/ black ballpoint pen, eraser, sharpener, geometry box, colours in a transparent pouch

  • Transparent writing board

  • 500 ml water bottle (label removed)

Items Students can not carry to the CBSE Examination Hall

  • No bags

  • No phone

  • No smartwatch

  • No calculators

Steps to Write Roll Number in the Answer Book

Students appearing for the exam must follow the rules given below to write their CBSE roll numbers in the answer book:

  • The roll number for both Class 10 and 12 will either start from ‘’1” or “2”.

  • Digit “1” or “2” will represent special information.

  • In the answer book, there will be space for writing 7 digits, i.e., CBSE board roll number. However, since 2020, roll numbers are 8 digits.

  • Students can write “1” or “2” before the given box.

  • Make sure to darken the place below 1 or 2 in the 1st or 2nd line.

1725258028044

17252580279191725258027673

Also, Check:

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Ongoing Dates
CBSE Class 10th Exam Date

1 Jan'26 - 14 Feb'26 (Offline)

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Questions related to CBSE Class 12th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 12th ?

Hello

You will be able to download the CBSE Previous Year Board Question Papers from our official website, careers360, by using the link given below.

https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-previous-year-question-papers

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Hello

You will be able to download the CBSE Pre-Board Class 12 Question Paper 2025-26 from our official website by using the link which is given below.

https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-pre-board-class-12-question-paper-2025-26

I hope this information helps you.

Thank you.

Hello,

Yes, it's completely fine to skip this year's 12th board exams and give them next year as a reporter or private candidate, allowing you to prepare better; the process involves contacting your current school or board to register as a private candidate or for improvement exams during the specified

HELLO,

Yes i am giving you the link below through which you will be able to download the Class 12th Maths Book PDF

Here is the link :- https://school.careers360.com/ncert/ncert-book-for-class-12-maths

Hope this will help you!

Failing in pre-board or selection tests does NOT automatically stop you from sitting in the CBSE Class 12 board exams. Pre-boards are conducted by schools only to check preparation and push students to improve; CBSE itself does not consider pre-board marks. What actually matters is whether your school issues your