CBSE 2026 datesheet draws concerns over tight gaps between key papers

Similarly, social science is scheduled just a day after Sindhi, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, and Kokborok, leaving little scope for revision.

Students argue that this places them at a disadvantage compared to peers who have subjects with more breathing space, particularly since science and social science are two of the core and more demanding subjects.

Also Read | CBSE Class 10th Board 2026 Exams: Complete date sheet for Exam 1, Exam 2

A student on X said: “In the tentative datesheet, posted yesterday, For grade 10…Science paper (on 25.02.26) has no holiday for the students attempting Punjabi exam too (on 24.02.26) All Punjab students will have the problem in this regard…kindly reconsider the datesheet…”

Dear sir
In the tentative datesheet, posted yesterday, For grade 10…Science paper(on 25.02.26) has no holiday for the students attempting Punjabi exam too( on 24.02.26) All pinjab students will have the problem in this regard…kindly reconsider the datesheet…

— poonam kaushal (@poonamkaus45663) September 25, 2025

Similarly, the Class 12 date sheet has come under criticism for a few tight placements. Students note that the physics exam is scheduled immediately after physical education, leaving them with little time to shift gears from a comparatively lighter subject to one considered among the toughest in the science stream.

Read| CBSE Board Exams Date Sheet 2026: Class 10, 12 exam schedules released; detailed timetables here

A student in a social media post said: “Many students are concerned that the Physical Education exam is scheduled just one day before the Physics exam in the tentative datesheet. This leaves very little time for preparation. We request you to kindly reconsider and adjust the schedule for students’ benefit.”

Many students are concerned that the Physical Education exam is scheduled just one day before the Physics exam in the tentative datesheet. This leaves very little time for preparation. We request you to kindly reconsider and adjust the schedule for students’ benefit.

— Vanshika Thakur (@Oneshikaa) September 24, 2025

Another concern flagged is that the economics paper follows the language exam the very next day, offering no revision buffer. Given economics’ analytical nature and heavy syllabus, this sequencing is seen as an added strain.

Chayanika Sarma, a Class 12 science student from Guwahati, said the datesheet puts her under pressure. “With physical education right before physics, there’s hardly any time to prepare. Physics needs focused revision, and even one day would have helped us a lot,” she said.

Education experts point out that while CBSE aims to balance logistical considerations across streams and regions, such “back-to-back” scheduling risks amplifying stress levels among students.

“The lack of preparation gaps in high-stake subjects like science, social science, physics and economics can disproportionately impact performance. Even a single preparatory day can make a measurable difference,” said a Kolkata-based school principal.

On the other hand, Aditya Panchal from Ajmer, Rajasthan, also in Class 12 but with mathematics instead of physical education, said he does not feel the crunch. “For my subject combination, the gaps are manageable. I have enough time to prepare between the major papers,” he said, noting that the impact varies across streams.

Over the years, CBSE has maintained that datesheets are structured to minimise clashes, accommodate large candidate volumes, and conclude exams within a reasonable timeframe. However, as more students and teachers voice concerns online, it remains to be seen if the board will consider adjustments or issue clarifications.

Although some intervals between exams may appear short, students were provided with the full syllabus and date sheet well ahead of time, Lopa Basistha, a teacher at Christ Senior Secondary School, Umiam, Meghalaya, said, adding that with regular study, the timetable is manageable. “The board plans the schedule thoughtfully, keeping subject balance and logistics in mind. Instead of worrying about the gaps, students are encouraged to rely on consistent revision rather than depending solely on the breaks for preparation,” Basistha added.

Last year, CBSE had clarified that while preparing the datesheets it had factored in the schedules of major entrance examinations like JEE Main to minimise clashes and ensure that Class 12 students were not disadvantaged. “The date of conduct of entrance examinations meant for the students of Class 12 have been taken into consideration and efforts have been made to complete the examinations much before the entrance examinations,” the board had said while releasing the 2025 timetable. This year, however, with the JEE Main 2026 dates yet to be announced, students and teachers are worried that the board exams might run close to or even coincide with the engineering entrance, adding to the stress.

For now, with exams set to begin in early 2026, students are being urged to focus on long-term preparation strategies rather than depending heavily on gaps between papers.

In 2026, around 45 lakh candidates are expected to appear in 204 subjects across Classes 10 and 12 from India and 26 countries abroad.