CBSE Considers Rescheduling Class 10 & 12 Board Timetable Amid Back-to-Back Exam Concerns

Students, parents and schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) may see a shift in their board exam preparations: the Board has indicated it is reviewing the current timetable for the Class 10 and 12 board examinations, responding to widespread concerns about subjects being scheduled on consecutive days and insufficient revision gaps between major papers.

What triggered the review?

Feedback from school associations, parents and student groups highlighted challenges in the initial timetable released for the 2026 session. One major point raised: the narrowing gap between large-score subjects. For example, a school pointed out that the Class 10 Malayalam exam was slated on one day and Social Science the very next. In Class 12 as well, similar scheduling patterns were flagged. Officials say the Board has listened and acknowledged the need for revision.

What may change?

While the full revised timetable is yet to be announced, the Board has indicated possible adjustments including:

• More spacing between major theory papers, especially for core subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Science and regional languages.
• Clustering of less-demanding or vocational papers apart from high-stakes subjects to allow better recovery and preparation.
• Consideration of travel time for students moving between exam centres when allocating exam dates.
  These potential changes are designed to reduce stress, avoid back-to-back high-value exams and uphold fairness.

Impacts on Students and Schools

For students: The prospect of rescheduling brings both relief and uncertainty. Relief, because greater spacing means better revision opportunity and mental rest. Uncertainty, because a change may require reworking study plans, mock exam setups, and timelines. Schools will need to quickly adapt. Teachers may have to adjust pre-board and revision schedules, while parents must keep their children aligned to any updated calendar.

Strategic Timing and Practicalities

The Board is under pressure to finalise the board exam dates well before the start of practical exams and project assessments. Typically, internal assessments for winter-bound schools begin as early as November, while main theory papers for Classes 10 and 12 are scheduled starting mid-February. Therefore, any rescheduling must still ensure enough lead time for logistics, centre allocations, printing of question papers, transportation, evaluation timelines and result declaration. A delay in finalising the timetable could cascade into other academic schedules—so the Board is likely to issue the revised calendar shortly.

What students should do now

Given the possibility of change, students should:

• Maintain flexibility in their revision schedules—focus on core concepts first, then timely subject by subject.
• Monitor official notifications from the Board rather than relying on rumours or third-party communications.
• Prioritise mock tests and time-management practice since exam day stress is often tied to back-to-back sessions.
• Manage health and rest—in a scenario of schedule revision, recovery time becomes even more critical.
• Consult school-based teachers for subject-wise follow-up on any revamped date structure.

Why this revision matters

Board exams shape academic futures—not just university admissions but student confidence, stress-management, and skill consolidation. A well-spaced timetable contributes to better performance, lesser anxiety and wider fairness (especially for students in remote or challenging terrain). By acknowledging the issue of tight scheduling, the CBSE is signalling its commitment to student-centric reforms and operational transparency.

Looking ahead

The Board is expected to release the revised exam timetable in the coming weeks. Schools should keep their operational plans ready for adjustment. With changed dates, the time window between exam and result, evaluation process and even preparatory holidays may also shift. Parents and teachers alike must stay alert for official updates.