CBSE Class 12 Final Date Sheet Released: Exams Start February 17, 2026!

New Delhi, Friday, October 31, 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has finally released the final date sheet for the Class 12 board examinations for the 2026 session. This is big news for students and parents across India. The announcement puts an end to the wait and confusion that followed the release of a tentative schedule earlier.

Class 12 Final Date Sheet Key Dates and Schedule Overview

The final timetable confirms that the CBSE Class 12 theory exams will begin on February 17, 2026. The exams will then run for over two months, concluding on April 9, 2026.

• Start Date: February 17, 2026
• End Date: April 9, 2026
• Exam Timings: All papers will start at 10:30 AM IST.

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💡 Why the Early Release Matters

CBSE has released the final schedule 110 days before the exams begin. This early release is very helpful for students. It gives them ample time to plan their studies well.

The board had first released a tentative date sheet on September 24, 2025. This was to give everyone an early idea of the schedule. Now, the final list is out. Students can now make a solid study plan and focus on revision. This move aims to reduce stress and help students manage their time better.

Important Subject Dates for Class 12

The date sheet is prepared to avoid clashes between different subjects. It also ensures there is a sufficient gap between exams for major subjects. This is very important for students who have to prepare for more than one important paper.

📝 Here are the dates for some of the key subjects in the Class 12 exams (Note: All timings are 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM for most papers):

• Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship: February 17, 2026
• Physical Education: February 18, 2026
• Physics: February 20, 2026
• Accountancy: February 24, 2026
• Geography: February 26, 2026
• Chemistry: February 28, 2026
• Psychology: March 5, 2026
• Mathematics / Applied Mathematics: March 9, 2026
• English Core / Elective: March 12, 2026
• Economics: March 18, 2026
• Political Science: March 23, 2026
• Informatics Practices, Computer Science, IT: March 25, 2026
• Biology: March 27, 2026
• Business Studies, Business Administration: March 28, 2026
• History: March 30, 2026
• Sociology: April 4, 2026

Science Stream students, for example, have good gaps between their main papers like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Commerce and Arts students also have a smooth flow for their core subjects.

How to Download the CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet for Class 12

💻 Students need to download the official PDF copy of the date sheet. This will help them check the exact dates and times for all their subjects.

1. Visit the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in.
2. Go to the ‘Examinations’ or ‘Latest @ CBSE’ section on the homepage.
3. Look for the link titled “CBSE Date Sheet X–XII Final 2026“.
4. Click on the link to open the PDF.
5. Download and print the date sheet for your future reference.

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Practical Exams and What’s Next

The practical examinations and internal assessments for most schools will start on January 1, 2026. Students are advised to talk to their schools to confirm their individual practical exam dates. Schools in winter-bound areas, however, started their practical exams earlier, from November 5, 2025.

The board has also kept in mind the dates of major competitive exams, such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). They made sure the board exams are over well before these national-level entrance tests began. This will give students a good preparation window for their competitive exams.

Students and teachers must now focus fully on their preparation. The final date sheet is here. The time to plan is over. Now is the time to study hard and do well in the exams.