CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 PDF

CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 Latest Update

CBSE has issued the official date sheet for the Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026. The PDF is titled Secondary School Examination-2026 Second Board Examinations and carries the date 23 April 2026.

The second board examination will be held from 15 May 2026 to 21 May 2026. Students should download the PDF from the official CBSE website and match the date sheet with the subjects for which they are eligible and registered.

The date sheet includes subject codes, subject names and exam timings. Students should check the subject code carefully because similar subject names, such as Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic, are listed separately.

CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam 2026 Full Schedule

The official schedule covers major subjects, languages, selected skill subjects and other subjects offered in Class 10. The table below gives the main date-wise structure from the official date sheet.

Students should use the official PDF as the final reference because it contains the full layout exactly as issued by CBSE.

How to Download CBSE Class 10 Second Board Date Sheet PDF

Students can download the CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 from the official CBSE website. The PDF is also accessible through the direct official document link.

1. Go to the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in.
2. Open the main CBSE website or the latest announcements section.
3. Look for the Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026 date sheet link.
4. Open the PDF titled Date Sheet for Second Board Exam Class X 2026.
5. Check the subject code and subject name carefully.
6. Download and save the PDF for exam preparation.
7. Take a printout if needed for quick reference.

Students should avoid relying on screenshots or forwarded messages because subject codes and exam timings may be missed or misread in unofficial copies.

Exam Timings and Paper Duration

Most CBSE Class 10 second board papers are scheduled from 10:30 AM to 01:30 PM. These include major subjects such as Mathematics, English, Science, languages, Sanskrit and Social Science.

Some subjects have a shorter duration and are scheduled from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. These include subjects such as Hindustani Music, Retail, Introduction to Tourism, Painting, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence as listed in the official date sheet.

Students should report to the exam centre as per the time mentioned on their admit card and school instructions. The date sheet gives the paper timing, but entry, seating, verification and reading-time instructions are generally controlled through the admit card and CBSE exam-day directions.

Who Can Appear in the CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam

CBSE has clarified that appearing in the first board examination is mandatory for Class 10 students. The second board examination is for eligible categories under CBSE’s two-board-examination policy.

• Passed and eligible students may improve their performance in up to three main subjects.
• Students placed in the Compartment category may appear under the Compartment category.
• Eligible candidates may appear under Compartment plus Improvement as per the scheme.
• First chance and third chance compartment candidates are covered as per the official rules.
• Students passed by replacement of subject may be covered for improvement as per the policy.

Students who did not appear in three or more subjects in the first board examination are not eligible for the second board examination and are placed in the Essential Repeat category as per CBSE clarification.

Important LOC and Registration Points

For regular school students, the List of Candidates process is handled through the school. CBSE issued a circular dated 15 April 2026 for submission of LOC for the Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026.

Students should contact their school if they are unsure whether their name was submitted for the second board examination. Private candidates should follow the separate CBSE circular issued for private candidate examination forms.

Rules for Improvement and Compartment Students

The second board exam is not a fresh full-board opportunity for every student. It is governed by CBSE’s specific improvement and compartment rules.

• Passed students may improve performance in up to three subjects from Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages.
• Students placed in the Essential Repeat category are not eligible for the second examination.
• Students in the Compartment category may appear under the same category and also under improvement where allowed.
• If a candidate’s name is submitted and fee is paid but the candidate does not appear, the performance in the main examination will be treated as final.
• The second examination will be conducted on the syllabus of the main examination 2026.

Students should confirm their category with their school before planning subject-wise preparation for the second examination.

Mathematics Option in the Second Board Exam

CBSE has allowed a limited change in the Mathematics option for the second board examination. Students who offered Mathematics Standard in the main examination may opt for Mathematics Basic in the second examination. Students who offered Mathematics Basic may opt for Mathematics Standard.

This rule is specific to Mathematics. CBSE has stated that change of other offered subjects is not allowed. Students should speak to their school before assuming that a subject can be changed in the second board examination.

The date sheet lists both Mathematics Standard with subject code 041 and Mathematics Basic with subject code 241 on 15 May 2026 from 10:30 AM to 01:30 PM.

Exam-Day Instructions for Students

Students should treat the admit card and CBSE instructions as final for entry into the examination centre. The date sheet tells the date and time, while the admit card confirms the student’s personal exam details and centre information.

• Carry the CBSE admit card issued for the second board examination.
• Reach the exam centre before the reporting time mentioned by the school or admit card.
• Check the subject code carefully before entering the examination hall.
• Carry permitted stationery only.
• Do not carry mobile phones, smart watches, notes or other restricted items.
• Follow all instructions given by the invigilator and examination centre staff.

Students appearing in 12:30 PM ending papers should still report at the same starting time unless the admit card or school gives a different reporting instruction.

What Students Should Do After the Date Sheet Is Released

After downloading the CBSE Class 10 second board date sheet, students should make a short subject-wise plan based on the subjects they are actually appearing for. Since the examination window is short, preparation should focus on the selected paper or papers only.

1. Confirm eligibility and registration status with the school.
2. Download the official date sheet and mark the exact subject dates.
3. Check whether the paper is three hours or two hours.
4. Revise the CBSE syllabus followed for the main 2026 examination.
5. Practise sample questions, previous board-style questions and writing answers within time.
6. Collect the admit card from the school or official process when available.

Students appearing for improvement should focus on accuracy and time management. Students appearing for compartment should first cover essential chapters and high-confidence scoring areas before moving to advanced revision.

Official Links

• CBSE Official Website
• CBSE Class 10 Second Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 PDF
• CBSE Examination Circulars
• CBSE LOC Circular for Class 10 Second Board Examination 2026
• CBSE Two Board Examinations Class X Clarification PDF
• CBSE Two Board Examinations in Class X Policy PDF
• CBSE Private Candidates Second Board Examination Forms Notice