The Central Board has divided Class 10 Science subject in three sections, Social Sciences into four sections.
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued fresh directions for schools and students appearing in the Class 10 Board examinations next year. CBSE circular has asked schools to ensure that students are comfortable with the revised structure of the Science and Social Science papers and follow section-wise answering rules.
CBSE circular states that answer book will be divided into three sections in Sciences and four sections in Social Sciences for written answers.
CBSE Class 10 Science Paper Structure
Under the new pattern, the Science question paper will carry three sections- Biology (A), Chemistry (B) and Physics (C). Students have been told to mark out the same three sections in their answer book before attempting any question.
Social Science Paper Structure
The Social Science paper will include four sections covering History (A), Geography (B), Political Science (C) and Economics (D). CBSE has asked students to write each answer only in the space meant for that particular section.
CBSE circular stresses that answers meant for one section should not be written in another. In cases where responses are mixed or placed in the wrong section, evaluators will not mark those answers. The board has also clarified that such errors cannot be corrected later during verification or revaluation.
Schools Asked to Prepare Students
CBSE has asked schools to give students adequate practice during regular classes and Pre-Board exams so they do not face difficulties in the final Board examination next year. CBSE Board Examinations will start on February 17, 2026 for both Class 10 and Class 12.
CBSE released the final CBSE Class 10 date sheet 2026 for Phase 1 and 2 exams in Oct 2025 on the official website. Students can click on the link provided to check the detailed date sheet.
The CBSE Class 10 exams 2026 Phase 1 shall be conducted between February 17 and March 10, 2026. Phase 2 of CBSE 10 class exams 2026 will be conducted between May 15 and June 1, 2026.
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CBSE will conduct the 10th, 12th board exams 2026 from February 17, 2026 in pen and paper format. The exams will conclude on April 9, 2026.
The board released the CBSE syllabus and exam pattern 2026 on the official website. Students must finish with their syllabus by January 2026 and start practising the CBSE sample papers and previous years question papers for better preparation of the exams.