CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exams 2026 to Begin May 15; Datesheet Released

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the datesheet for the Class 10 second board examinations. As per the schedule, the exams will begin on May 15, with Mathematics (Standard) and Mathematics (Basic) as the first papers.

The examinations will generally be conducted from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, while some subjects will conclude earlier at 12:30 pm.

The second board exam system, introduced by CBSE last year and set for full implementation from 2026, provides students with an opportunity to improve their performance. Under this system, students can reappear in up to three subjects to enhance their scores.

Eligibility Criteria for CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exams

The following students are eligible to appear:

Those who appeared in at least three subjects in the first examination
Students who have passed Class 10 and want to improve their scores
Candidates placed in the Compartment category
Students who passed by substituting a subject with a sixth subject
Candidates under UFM category 1 (if otherwise eligible)
Students from the 2025 Compartment category
Those opting for improvement in up to three core subjects
Students appearing for first/third chance compartment or compartment with improvement
Sports students permitted by CBSE

CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 Datesheet

Date	Day	Time	Subject Code	Subject Name
15 May 2026	Friday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	041	Mathematics Standard
15 May 2026	Friday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	241	Mathematics Basic
16 May 2026	Saturday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	101	English (Communicative)
16 May 2026	Saturday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	184	English (Language & Literature)
18 May 2026	Monday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	086	Science
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	002	Hindi Course-A
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	003	Urdu Course-A
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	004	Punjabi
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	005	Bengali
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	006	Tamil
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	007	Telugu
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	009	Marathi
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	010	Gujarati
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	011	Manipuri
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	012	Malayalam
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	013	Odia
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	014	Assamese
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	015	Kannada
19 May 2026	Tuesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	016	Arabic

Other Subjects (Different Timing)

Date	Day	Time	Subject Code	Subject Name
Various Dates	-	10:30 AM – 12:30 PM	017	Tibetan
			018	French
			020	German
			024	Nepali
			025	Limboo
			026	Lepcha
			034	Hindustani Music (Vocal)
			035	Hindustani Music (Melodic Instruments)
			064	Home Science
			085	Hindi Course-B
			088	Bhoti
			089	Telugu – Telangana
			091	Kokborok
			092	Bodo
			094	Japanese
			095	Bhutia
			096	Spanish
			098	Mizo
			119	Sanskrit (Communicative)
			131	Rai
			303	Urdu Course-B
			401	Retail
			406	Introduction to Tourism

Additional Subjects

Date	Day	Time	Subject Code	Subject Name
20 May 2026	Wednesday	10:30 AM – 12:30 PM	049	Painting
20 May 2026	Wednesday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	122	Sanskrit
20 May 2026	Wednesday	10:30 AM – 12:30 PM	402	Information Technology
20 May 2026	Wednesday	10:30 AM – 12:30 PM	417	Artificial Intelligence
21 May 2026	Thursday	10:30 AM – 01:30 PM	087	Social Science

Not Eligible Candidates

Students who failed or did not appear in three or more subjects
Candidates placed under the ER category (eligible only next year)

Students are advised to check the detailed timetable and prepare accordingly for the upcoming examinations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The exams will begin on May 15, 2026, starting with Mathematics (Standard) and Mathematics (Basic).

It is a new system allowing students to appear twice in a year and improve their scores in up to three subjects.

Students who appeared in at least three subjects, passed Class 10, are in compartment category, or want to improve marks in up to three subjects are eligible.

Students who failed or did not appear in three or more subjects and those under the ER category are not eligible.