CBSE Issues Guidelines for 2026 Board Exam Evaluations
CBSE Directs Schools on Teacher Appointments for Evaluations
New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued directives to all affiliated schools regarding the appointment of teachers for evaluation tasks related to the 2026 board examinations. In a circular addressed to principals and school heads on February 9, 2026, the board emphasized that teachers assigned as examiners, chief examiners, and in other evaluation roles must be made available for assessment work as per the schedule set by CBSE.
Schedule for Class 10 and 12 Board Exams
The board examinations for Class 10 and Class 12 under CBSE will commence on February 17, 2026. The Class 10 exams are scheduled to conclude on March 11, 2026, while the Class 12 exams will end on April 10, 2026. This year, approximately 4.6 million students from India and 26 other countries are expected to participate in the exams. Delays in results have been attributed to the evaluation process.
Importance of Timely Evaluation
CBSE has highlighted that the evaluation of answer sheets is a crucial and time-sensitive process. The timely completion of evaluations is directly linked to the announcement of results for Classes 10 and 12. Any delays in appointing teachers could adversely affect the overall evaluation timeline.
Request to Schools Regarding Teacher Participation
The board has instructed schools not to hinder the participation of teachers appointed for evaluation tasks. Institutions are urged to relieve these teachers and ensure their involvement in the assessment process, regardless of internal academic or administrative requirements.
Mandatory Participation Under CBSE Guidelines
Reiterating its examination-related regulations, CBSE stated that participation in board-related duties is mandatory for affiliated schools. Non-compliance with the directives regarding teacher appointments may lead to serious consequences from the board.
Second Board Exam for Class 10
In line with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, CBSE will conduct the second board exam for Class 10 for the first time. This exam is set to begin on May 15, 2026, and will last for approximately 15 days.
Segmented Question Papers for Science and Social Science
Based on feedback from stakeholders, CBSE has introduced segmented question papers for certain subjects to facilitate more structured evaluations:
- Science will be divided into Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Social Science will be divided into History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
- Students will attempt questions from specific sections, and evaluations will be conducted by subject-specific teachers.
On-Screen Marking for Class 12
For the first time in 2026, CBSE will implement an on-screen marking (OSM) system for evaluating Class 12 answer sheets. The evaluation of Class 10 answer sheets will continue to be conducted physically as in previous years.
Measures to Ensure Accurate Evaluation
To streamline and strengthen the evaluation process, CBSE has taken several steps:
- Updated standard operating procedures (SOPs) in line with the revised evaluation plan.
- Reduced the number of answer sheets assigned to each evaluator to ensure quality assessments.
- Implemented capacity-building programs for evaluators.
- Created short instructional videos for guidance.
- Aiming to complete evaluations within 8-10 days, compared to the previous 10-12 days.
- Schools are also advised to arrange alternative academic provisions during the absence of appointed teachers.
- CBSE conducts board exams for Classes 10 and 12 annually in India and abroad, involving a large number of teachers to ensure uniformity and standardization in evaluations.