CBSE 10th Date Sheet 2026 Controversy: No leave between Punjabi & Science Spark Backlash from Students and Parents

As per the tentative CBSE Board exam 2026 schedule, there is back-to-back clash of Punjabi (and other regional languages) on February 24 followed by Science on February 25 for Class 10, leaving students with zero buffer for one of the board's toughest papers.

Central Board of Secondary Education released its tentative datesheet for 2026 Class 10 and 12 board exams. As per schedule, Class 10 Phase 1 will be conducted from February 17 to March 9, a second improvement round from May 15 to June 1. Class 12 board exams will be held from February 17 to April 9.

The razor-thin gaps between exams have ignited fury in students and parents, kicking off a wave of online debates and formal complaints.

As per the tentative exam schedule, there is back-to-back clash of Punjabi (and other regional languages) on February 24 followed by Science on February 25 for Class 10, leaving students with zero buffer for one of the board's toughest papers.

One of the X user, Poonam Kaushal (@poonamkaus45663) writes: "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…"

Social media, especially X, has become a virtual town hall, with #CBSEDatesheet2026 trending regionally. Parents, students, and alumni are tagging @cbseindia29 and @EduMinOfIndia, demanding revisions.

With around 45 lakh students set to appear across 204 subjects, critics are calling it a recipe for burnout, especially for Punjab's 2-3 lakh Punjabi-medium learners. The Class 10, 12 exam tentative datesheet, lists exams in a single daily shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

"This isn't preparation, it's panic mode," vented one parent on X (formerly twitter), echoing sentiments from teachers who argue the board overlooked regional needs in favor of a one-size-fits-all calendar.

The Core Issue: Punjabi-Science Squeeze

For Class 10, February 24 slot has multiple language papers: Punjabi, Urdu Course A, Bengali, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Manipuri, and Telugu. Science paper exam is very next day, February 25, which is an important paper blending physics, chemistry, and biology that demands focused revision.

Punjab students, where Punjabi is often mandatory under state rules, face the brunt: no holiday means cramming formulas post-language drills, with fatigue from a three-hour morning exam spilling into afternoon study.

Similar gripes plague Social Science on March 6, slotted right after languages like Sindhi, Malayalam, Odia, Assamese, Kannada, and Kokborok on March 5.

Class 12 isn't spared. Science stream kids decry Physics on February 20—immediately after Physical Education on February 19—jumping from practical skills to quantum mechanics overnight. Commerce and Arts students flag Economics back-to-back with other majors, while potential overlaps with JEE Main 2026 (dates pending) add insult to injury.

"CBSE factored in entrances last year, but this feels rushed," noted a Delhi teacher.

Another handle DelhiTutorHub, writes: "Tight gaps like Punjabi-Science ignore NEP's wellness focus. Punjab schools already mandated Punjabi, now this? Petition time." 

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