CBSE 12th Exam Date 2026 | CBSE 12th Exam Syllabus | CBSE 12th Exam PYQ | CBSE Class 12th Exam Model Paper | CBSE Class 12th Exam Sample Papers
Here are the details for the CBSE 12th exam date 2026, including the exam dates, eligibility, syllabus, and exam pattern:
The CBSE Class 12 board exams are scheduled from 17 February 2026 to 9 April 2026.
Exam timings vary depending on subjects: typically 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, but for some papers it’s 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
Practical/internal assessments for Class 12: for “winter-bound” schools: 6 Nov – 6 Dec 2025; for other schools: from 1 Jan 2026.
Likh Padh free online model papers for CBSE Class 12th exam date 2026 is designed and developed according to the latest exam pattern and syllabus of (Central Board of Secondary Education) CBSE 12th Exam date 2026. The free mock test papers are full length in nature as it also covers the subject specific questions as well as PYQ & sample paper.
Eligibility for Board CBSE 12th Exam Date 2026

Here are the key eligibility criteria for students to appear in the 12th board exam:
1. Two-Year Programme
CBSE treats Class 12 as a two-year course (combining Class 11 + Class 12).
Students must have studied the subjects they are appearing for across both years.
2. Attendance Requirement
A minimum of 75% attendance is mandatory during the 2025-26 academic session to be eligible.
Internal assessments (periodic tests, projects, class participation) are also part of evaluation.
If a student fails to complete internal assessment, they may be placed in “Essential Repeat” category.
3. Subject Offering Rules
Students can take additional subjects, but CBSE has clarified restrictions: for Class 12, a student may opt for one additional subject.
The school must have CBSE approval to offer that subject (i.e., infrastructure, qualified teachers).
4. Age (for Some Cases)
According to some sources, the minimum age for Class 12 candidates is 16 years (on or before 31 March 2026).
(Note: age rules may vary, check with your school or CBSE board circular.)
Syllabus for CBSE 12th Exam (2025-26)
The CBSE Class 12 syllabus for 2025-26 for Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams is published.
There are new skill-based elective subjects introduced:
Land Transportation Associate
Electronics and Hardware
Physical Activity Trainer
Design Thinking & Innovation
The syllabus aligns with competency-based education (as per NEP 2020).
Deleted topics: For some subjects (e.g., Physics), certain chapters/topics are removed in 2025-26 syllabus.
Exam Pattern for CBSE 12th Board (2026)
Here is the exam pattern / marking scheme:
The exam will include competency-based questions: MCQs, case-based, source-based questions — these carry a significant weight.
Distribution of question types:
20% MCQs
30% short-answer or long-answer (understanding-based)
50% direct / recall-based questions (though this may vary by subject)
Marks distribution:
Science subjects (like Physics, Chemistry, Biology): theory + practical/internal assessment. For Physics, theory is 70 marks, practical/internal assessment is 30 marks.
For subjects like Mathematics (non-practical), theory may be 80 marks and internal assessment 20.
CBSE 12th Pre-board Exam Date 2025-2026:
For the CBSE 12th Pre-Board 2025-2026, schools conduct exams in three phases: Pre-Board I around Nov 1-10, 2025; Pre-Board II around Nov 29-Dec 8, 2025; and Pre-Board III around Jan 3-12, 2026, but dates vary by school, so check your institution’s official schedule. The final CBSE Board Exams are set to start February 17, 2026.
Tentative CBSE 12th Pre-Board Dates (2025-2026):
- Pre-Board I: November 1 – 10, 2025
- Board II: November 29 – December 8, 2025
- Pre-Board III: (January Window): January 3 – 12, 2026
Key Points:
- School-Specific: Pre-board dates are decided by individual schools, so always confirm with your school’s administration or website.
- Final Board Exams: The main CBSE Class 12 board exams are scheduled to begin on February 17, 2026, with the detailed date sheet released in October 2025.
CBSE 12th Exam Final Date Sheet 2026
Check the table below for the tentative CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026:
| CBSE Class 12th Final Date Sheet 2026 | ||
| Dates | Day | Subject |
| February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Biotechnology |
| February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | Physical Education |
| February 19, 2026 | Thursday | Horticulture, Engineering Graphics |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | Physics |
| February 21, 2026 | Saturday | Automotive, Fashion Studies |
| February 22, 2026 | Sunday | Sunday |
| February 23, 2026 | Monday | Mass Media Studies |
| February 24, 2026 | Tuesday | Accountancy |
| February 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Beauty & Wellness |
| February 26, 2026 | Thursday | Geography |
| February 27, 2026 | Friday | Painting, Applied Arts |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | Chemistry |
| March 1, 2026 | Sunday | Sunday |
| March 2, 2026 | Monday | Other language |
| March 3, 2026 | Tuesday | Legal Studies |
| March 4, 2026 | Wednesday | Holi |
| March 5, 2026 | Thursday | Psychology |
| March 6, 2026 | Friday | Indian Language |
| March 7, 2026 | Saturday | Electronics & Hardware |
| March 8, 2026 | Sunday | Sunday |
| March 9, 2026 | Monday | Mathematics |
| March 10, 2026 | Tuesday | Food Production, Library & Information Science |
| March 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Hindustani music |
| March 12, 2026 | Thursday | English |
| March 13, 2026 | Friday | Tourism |
| March 14, 2026 | Saturday | Home Science |
| March 15, 2026 | Sunday | Sunday |
| March 16, 2026 | Monday | Hindi (Elective & core) |
| March 17, 2026 | Tuesday | Hindustani music vocal |
| March 18, 2026 | Wednesday | Economics |
| March 19, 2026 | Thursday | Physical activity trainer |
| March 20, 2026 | Friday | Marketing |
| March 21, 2026 | Saturday | Eid-ul-Fitar |
| March 22, 2026 | Sunday | Sunday |
| March 23, 2026 | Monday | Political Science |
| March 24, 2026 | Tuesday | Retail, AI |
| March 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Computer Science, IT |
| March 26, 2026 | Thursday | Ram Navami |
| March 27, 2026 | Friday | Biology |
| March 28, 2026 | Saturday | Business Studies |
| March 29, 2026 | Sunday | Sunday |
| March 30, 2026 | Monday | History |
| March 31, 2026 | Tuesday | — |
| April 1, 2026 | Wednesday | Agriculture, Financial Market Management |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | NCC, Food Nutrition & Dietetics |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | Sociology |
Summary
When: 17 Feb – 9 Apr 2026
Who can appear: Students must have 75% attendance, must have studied the subject for 2 years (Class 11 + 12), must complete internal assessments.
What to study: Stream-wise syllabus (Science / Commerce / Humanities), including new skill electives.
How exam is set: Mixed style — MCQs, case-based, short and long answers; competency-based questions majorly.
Likh Padh is an online educational platform where you will get detail information for CBSE Class 12th exam date 2026. We provide both free Online Sample Papers for CBSE Class 12th exam date 2026 and paid content to aid in this aspect for exam preparation. Likh Padh online mobile app provides you with free sample papers, previous year questions, model papers, PYQ and test series for respective subject in manner to qualify the CBSE class 12th exam date 2026.

