The 2026 board exams in India will see major changes, especially in the national board, CBSE. From 2026, Class 10 students will have the option to appear for two exam sessions in a year—the first between mid-February and early March, which will be compulsory for all, and the second in May, which will serve as an optional improvement attempt. For Class 12, the CBSE board exams are expected to run from mid-February to early April 2026 in a single session. Tentatively, the Class 10 exams will begin on February 17 and conclude by March 6, while the optional improvement exams will take place between May 5 and May 20. The Class 10 results are likely to be declared by April 20, followed by Class 12 results around May 20.

Like CBSE, MP Board and Chhattisgarh board will also conduct 2 board exams. Karnataka is already doing this since the last year.

Meanwhile, state boards have also begun preparations. Maharashtra has announced that its Class 10 exams will be held in February 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Board has extended registration and fee submission deadlines till September 2025, and the Bihar Board has opened Class 10 and 12 registrations with a late fee option available until September 3.