CBSE 2026 Board Exams May Coincide with Assembly Elections in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Puducherry

CBSE Datesheet for Board Exams 2026 is out: In 2021, clash was avoided due to Covid delay, but this time exams and polls may run parallel.

CBSE has issued tentative Dates of Class 10 & 12 Board Exam

CBSE board exams in 2026 may run at the same time as Assembly elections in five states and one Union Territory. Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry will vote next year. Polls in these states are expected in March and April, which is also the usual period for Class 10 and Class 12 exams.

In 2021, when these states last voted, there was no direct clash. That year, CBSE had pushed the board exams to May and June because of the Covid pandemic. The delay helped avoid overlap with the polls. For 2026, the board is likely to follow its regular February to April calendar. This means that the possibility of exams and elections coinciding is very high.

The overlap may create logistical challenges. Schools are used both as exam centres and polling stations. Teachers and staff are also called on election duty. If both events are scheduled together, it could put pressure on state administrations. In the past, local adjustments were made in dates when elections and exams overlapped in a few constituencies. A similar situation may arise again.

Parents and students are worried about any sudden changes. In 2021 due to first and second wave of the deadly virus, board exams were delayed.

However, this time parents and students are concerned about exam rescheduling and logistics issue because of elections. JEE Main and NEET-UG aspirants are also keeping a close eye on board exam dates, as their revision plans depend on it.

In 2025, board exams for Class 10 and 12 started around Feb 15, and it continued till April. If the board sticks to the same schedule in 2026, the overlap with state polls looks almost certain.

The Election Commission is expected to announce poll dates in early 2026, while CBSE is likely to issue the detailed datesheet by the end of this year. Once both schedules are out, a clear picture will emerge. Till then, students, schools and state authorities are waiting for clarity on how the two major events will be managed together.

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