The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 for the academic session 2025-26. With over 17 lakh students expected to appear for the Senior School Certificate Examination, CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2026 remains one of the most significant academic milestones for students across India. The board exams will commence on February 17, 2026, and conclude on April 9, 2026, covering Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams. This comprehensive guide covers everything students need to know about CBSE 12th Exam 2026, including exam dates, syllabus, marking scheme, preparation strategies, and result expectations.
Table of Contents
CBSE Class 12 Exam 2026 Highlights
Before diving into the specifics of the CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2026, students should familiarize themselves with the key details of the examination. The Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced several student-friendly measures this year, including the early release of the date sheet 110 days before the exam commencement. This proactive approach allows students ample time to plan their preparation strategies effectively.
Particulars
Details
Conducting Body
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Examination Name
Senior School Certificate Examination (Class XII)
Academic Session
2025-26
Exam Mode
Offline (Pen and Paper)
Theory Exam Dates
February 17 to April 9, 2026
Practical Exam Dates (Regular Schools)
January 1 to February 14, 2026
Practical Exam Dates (Winter-bound Schools)
November 6 to December 6, 2025
Exam Timing
10:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Total Duration
3 Hours (with 15-20 minutes reading time)
Total Marks per Subject
100 (Theory + Practical/Internal Assessment)
Passing Marks
33% (separately in Theory and Practical)
Expected Result Date
May 2026 (Tentatively May 20, 2026)
Official Website
cbse.gov.in, cbseresults.nic.in
CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026
The CBSE has released the final date sheet for Class 12 Board Exams 2026 on October 30, 2025. This marks the first time the board has announced the exam schedule 110 days in advance, giving students substantial preparation time. The examination schedule has been carefully designed to ensure adequate gaps between major subjects, allowing students to prepare thoroughly for each paper. The board analyzed over 40,000 subject combinations to avoid scheduling conflicts for any student.
CBSE Class 12 Science Stream Date Sheet 2026
Students appearing for the Science stream examinations will have their papers scheduled between February and March 2026. The core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology are strategically spaced to provide sufficient revision time between consecutive exams.
Date
Subject
Subject Code
February 17, 2026
Biotechnology / Entrepreneurship
045 / 066
February 20, 2026
Physics
042
February 26, 2026
English Core
301
March 3, 2026
Chemistry
043
March 9, 2026
Mathematics
041
March 14, 2026
Computer Science / Informatics Practices
083 / 065
March 18, 2026
Physical Education
048
March 27, 2026
Biology
044
CBSE Class 12 Commerce Stream Date Sheet 2026
Commerce students will have their examinations for subjects like Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics scheduled with proper intervals. The date sheet ensures students can focus on both theoretical concepts and practical applications of commerce subjects.
Date
Subject
Subject Code
February 17, 2026
Entrepreneurship
066
February 22, 2026
Business Studies
054
February 26, 2026
English Core
301
March 1, 2026
Accountancy
055
March 9, 2026
Mathematics / Applied Mathematics
041 / 241
March 14, 2026
Informatics Practices
065
March 22, 2026
Economics
030
CBSE Class 12 Arts/Humanities Stream Date Sheet 2026
Humanities stream students will appear for subjects including History, Political Science, Geography, and Psychology. The examination schedule accommodates the diverse range of subjects available under this stream.
Date
Subject
Subject Code
February 24, 2026
History
027
February 26, 2026
English Core
301
March 5, 2026
Political Science
028
March 11, 2026
Geography
029
March 15, 2026
Sociology
039
March 18, 2026
Physical Education
048
March 20, 2026
Psychology
037
March 22, 2026
Economics
030
CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026
The CBSE has introduced a competency-based assessment pattern for the Class 12 Board Exams 2026. This pattern emphasizes application-based learning, critical thinking, and analytical skills rather than rote memorization. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation and scoring well in the board examinations.
CBSE 12th Question Paper Pattern 2026
The revised exam pattern for CBSE Class 12 focuses on testing students' conceptual understanding and practical application of knowledge. The question papers will include a mix of objective and subjective questions designed to evaluate comprehensive learning outcomes.
Question Type
Weightage
Description
MCQs (Select Response Type)
20%
Multiple Choice Questions testing basic concepts
Competency-Based Questions
50%
Case-based, source-based, and assertion-reasoning questions
Constructed Response Questions
30%
Short answer and long answer type questions
CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026
Each subject in CBSE Class 12 carries a total of 100 marks, distributed between theory examination and practical/internal assessment. The division of marks varies depending on whether the subject includes laboratory work or project-based assessment.
Subject Category
Theory Marks
Practical/Internal Assessment
Total Marks
Physics, Chemistry, Biology
70
30
100
Mathematics
80
20
100
English Core
80
20
100
Accountancy
80
20
100
Business Studies
80
20
100
Economics
80
20
100
History, Political Science, Geography
80
20
100
Computer Science
70
30
100
Physical Education
70
30
100
CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2026
The CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26 has been released on the official website cbseacademic.nic.in. The syllabus follows the NCERT curriculum and focuses on competency-based learning. Students should complete the entire syllabus as prescribed by the board, with no reduction in content for the 2026 examinations. Each subject has specific unit-wise weightage that helps students prioritize their preparation.
CBSE Class 12 Physics Chapter-wise Weightage 2026
Unit
Chapter Name
Marks
Unit I
Electrostatics
16
Unit II
Current Electricity
-
Unit III
Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
17
Unit IV
Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents
-
Unit V
Electromagnetic Waves
18
Unit VI
Optics
-
Unit VII
Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
12
Unit VIII
Atoms and Nuclei
-
Unit IX
Electronic Devices
7
Total Theory
70
CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Chapter-wise Weightage 2026
Unit
Chapter Name
Marks
Unit I
Relations and Functions
8
Unit II
Algebra (Matrices and Determinants)
10
Unit III
Calculus
35
Unit IV
Vectors and 3-D Geometry
14
Unit V
Linear Programming
5
Unit VI
Probability
8
Total Theory
80
CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Chapter-wise Weightage 2026
Unit
Chapter Name
Marks
Unit I
Solid State
23
Unit II
Solutions
-
Unit III
Electrochemistry
-
Unit IV
Chemical Kinetics
-
Unit V
Surface Chemistry
-
Unit VI
General Principles of Isolation of Elements
19
Unit VII
p-Block Elements
-
Unit VIII
d and f Block Elements
-
Unit IX
Coordination Compounds
-
Unit X
Organic Chemistry (Haloalkanes to Biomolecules)
28
Total Theory
70
CBSE Class 12 Practical Exam 2026
The CBSE Class 12 Practical Examinations for the academic session 2025-26 are scheduled from January 1 to February 14, 2026, for regular schools. Winter-bound schools have already conducted their practicals between November 6 and December 6, 2025. The practical examination carries significant weightage in the final result and requires thorough preparation.
CBSE Practical Exam Guidelines 2026
External examiners will be appointed by CBSE for Class 12 practical examinations
Schools must conduct practicals within the notified schedule with no date extensions
Batch size should not exceed 30 students per session
Geo-tagged and time-tagged group photographs are mandatory for each batch
Practical marks will not be disclosed to students under any circumstances
Marks uploaded to the CBSE portal cannot be modified once finalized
Both Internal and External Examiners must provide a joint undertaking for accuracy
CBSE Class 12 Admit Card 2026
The CBSE Class 12 Admit Card 2026 is expected to be released in the first week of February 2026 on the official website cbse.gov.in. Regular students will collect their admit cards from their respective schools, while private candidates can download them directly from the official portal. The admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in both practical and theory examinations.
Details Mentioned on CBSE 12th Admit Card
Student's Name and Photograph
Father's/Guardian's Name
Roll Number and Admit Card ID
School Name and Code
Examination Centre Name, Address, and Code
Subject-wise Exam Dates and Timings
Category and PwD Status (if applicable)
Important Instructions for Exam Day
Items Allowed in CBSE Exam Hall
Permitted Items
Prohibited Items
Printed Admit Card
Mobile Phones
School ID Card
Electronic Devices
Blue/Black Ball Point Pen
Bluetooth Devices
Transparent Pouch for Stationery
Calculators (unless specified)
Geometry Box (for Maths)
Smart Watches
Water Bottle (Transparent)
Wallets and Handbags
CBSE Class 12 Result 2025: Previous Year Analysis
The CBSE Class 12 Result 2025 was declared on May 13, 2025, with an overall pass percentage of 88.39%, showing a marginal improvement from 87.98% in 2024. Understanding the previous year's result trends helps students set realistic goals and understand the competitive landscape of the examination.
CBSE Class 12 Result Statistics 2025
Parameter
Statistics 2025
Statistics 2024
Overall Pass Percentage
88.39%
87.98%
Girls Pass Percentage
91.64%
91.52%
Boys Pass Percentage
85.70%
85.12%
Transgender Pass Percentage
100%
50%
Students Scoring Above 90%
1,11,544
-
Students Scoring Above 95%
24,867
-
Total Candidates Appeared
16,92,794
-
Total Candidates Passed
14,96,307
-
CBSE Class 12 Region-wise Pass Percentage 2025
Region
Pass Percentage
Vijayawada
99.60%
Trivandrum
99.32%
Chennai
97.39%
Bengaluru
95.95%
Delhi West
95.37%
Delhi East
95.06%
Chandigarh
91.61%
Pune
90.93%
Ajmer
90.40%
Patna
82.86%
School Category-wise Performance 2025
School Category
Pass Percentage
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs)
99.29%
Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs)
99.05%
Central Tibetan Schools (STSS)
98.96%
Government Aided Schools
91.57%
Government Schools
90.48%
Independent (Private) Schools
87.94%
CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Question Papers
Solving CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Question Papers is essential for understanding the exam pattern, question types, and marking scheme. The board uploads question papers from previous years on its official website, allowing students to practice under exam-like conditions. Regular practice with these papers improves time management skills and builds confidence.
CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Papers Download Links
Resource
Official Website
Previous Year Question Papers (2025, 2024, 2023)
cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/question-paper.html
Sample Question Papers 2025-26
cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/samplepaper.html
Marking Scheme and Answer Keys
cbseacademic.nic.in
Syllabus and Curriculum Documents
cbseacademic.nic.in
CBSE Class 12 Preparation Tips 2026: How to Score Above 90%
Scoring above 90% in CBSE Class 12 Board Exams requires a strategic approach, consistent effort, and smart preparation. The key lies in understanding concepts rather than rote learning, practicing previous year papers, and maintaining a balanced study schedule. Here are expert-recommended preparation tips for CBSE Class 12 students aiming for top scores.
Subject-wise Preparation Strategy
Physics Preparation Tips
Focus on high-weightage chapters: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, and Optics
Practice derivations and numerical problems daily
Draw clear, labeled diagrams for all important concepts
Solve at least 5 years of previous year question papers
Maintain a formula notebook for quick revision
Chemistry Preparation Tips
Divide preparation into Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry
Memorize named reactions, mechanisms, and reagents in Organic Chemistry
Practice numerical problems from Electrochemistry and Chemical Kinetics
Focus on NCERT for Inorganic Chemistry as questions are often direct
Create flowcharts for reaction processes and coordination compounds
Mathematics Preparation Tips
Prioritize Calculus as it carries 35 marks (highest weightage)
Practice step-by-step problem solving for full marks
Master integration techniques and application of derivatives
Revise 3-D Geometry and Vector formulas regularly
Solve CBSE sample papers within the 3-hour time limit
Biology Preparation Tips
Focus on Genetics and Evolution unit (highest weightage of 20 marks)
Draw and label diagrams for all biological processes
Understand reproductive biology and biotechnology concepts thoroughly
Read NCERT textbook line by line as questions are often direct
Make charts for comparison-based questions
Commerce Stream Preparation Tips
Accountancy: Practice journal entries, ledger accounts, and financial statements daily
Business Studies: Focus on definitions, features, and process-based questions
Economics: Understand both Microeconomics and Macroeconomics concepts with diagrams
Create mnemonics for remembering lists and features
Practice case study-based questions from sample papers
General Preparation Tips for All Streams
Complete NCERT First: NCERT textbooks are the primary source for CBSE exams with 60-70% questions coming directly from them
Create a Realistic Timetable: Allocate more time to difficult subjects and high-weightage chapters
Solve Sample Papers: Practice CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers 2026 to understand the latest exam pattern
Revise Regularly: Dedicate at least 1 month exclusively for revision before exams
Write Practice Answers: Improve answer-writing skills by practicing within word limits
Take Mock Tests: Simulate exam conditions to build time management skills
Focus on Presentation: Use headings, bullet points, and diagrams for better marks
Stay Healthy: Maintain proper sleep, nutrition, and take regular breaks
CBSE Class 12 Result 2026: Expected Timeline
The CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 is expected to be declared by May 20, 2026, following the pattern of previous years. Students can check their results on official websites cbseresults.nic.in and cbse.gov.in using their roll number and school number. The board will also provide digital mark sheets through DigiLocker.
How to Check CBSE Class 12 Result 2026
Visit cbseresults.nic.in or results.cbse.nic.in
Click on "CBSE Class 12 Result 2026" link
Enter Roll Number, School Number, and Date of Birth
Click Submit to view the result
Download and print the scorecard for future reference
Access digital mark sheet through DigiLocker app using roll number
CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026
Students who fail in one or two subjects in the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 will be eligible to appear for the Compartment Examination. The CBSE 12th Compartment Exam is expected to be held in July 2026, with results likely to be announced by August 2026. Students must register separately for compartment exams after the declaration of results.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026 will commence on February 17, 2026, and conclude on April 9, 2026. The practical examinations for regular schools will be conducted from January 1 to February 14, 2026.
The CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 includes 20% MCQs, 50% competency-based questions (case-based, assertion-reasoning), and 30% short and long answer questions. The exam duration is 3 hours with 15-20 minutes reading time.
Students must secure at least 33% marks separately in both theory and practical/internal assessment components of each subject to pass CBSE Class 12 exams. The overall aggregate should also be 33% minimum.
Visit the official website cbse.gov.in, go to the "Latest @ CBSE" section, and click on the date sheet link for Class XII 2026. The PDF can be downloaded and printed for reference.
Yes, NCERT textbooks are the primary and most important resource for CBSE Class 12 preparation. Approximately 60-70% of questions come directly from NCERT. Students should complete NCERT thoroughly before referring to additional reference books.
Yes, CBSE has proposed conducting board exams twice a year starting from 2026 for Class 10 students following NEP 2020 guidelines. Phase 1 will be from February 17 to April 9, 2026, and Phase 2 from May 15 to June 1, 2026. However, this applies primarily to Class 10; Class 12 students will have single-phase examinations.
The CBSE Class 12 Admit Card 2026 is expected to be released in the first week of February 2026. Regular students will collect it from their schools, while private candidates can download it from cbse.gov.in.
A total of 16,92,794 students appeared for the CBSE Class 12 Board Examination 2025, out of which 14,96,307 students passed, resulting in an overall pass percentage of 88.39%.
In 2 months, focus on completing the NCERT syllabus, solving previous year question papers and sample papers, making short revision notes, practicing high-weightage topics, and taking regular mock tests. Prioritize subjects based on exam dates and personal strengths.
To score above 95%, study NCERT textbooks thoroughly, solve at least 5 years of previous year papers, practice writing answers within time limits, focus on presentation and diagrams, attempt all questions, and revise regularly. Consistent effort and smart study strategies are key.
Students who fail in one or two subjects can appear for the CBSE Compartment Examination 2026, which is expected to be held in July 2026. If a student fails in more than two subjects, they must reappear for the entire examination in the following year.
No, CBSE does not officially release the toppers list to avoid unhealthy competition among students. However, the board awards merit certificates to the top 0.1% scorers in each subject.
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