Board Exams
Mar 15, 2026
CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam 2026: Students Find Numerical Section Lengthy but Conceptual
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Priya Sharma
Mar 15, 2026
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 12 Physics examination today, March 15, 2026, across thousands of centers in India and abroad. As students walked out of the exam halls at 1:30 PM, the general consensus was that the paper was well-balanced but required a significant amount of time to solve the numerical sections. Teachers and subject matter experts have termed the paper 'application-based,' aligning with the National Education Policy's focus on competency-based learning.
Section C and D, which primarily consisted of long-form questions and case-based studies, were highlighted as the most challenging parts of the paper. Many students reported that while the questions were from the NCERT syllabus, they were not direct. 'The questions on Optics and Electrostatics required a lot of calculation. I had to manage my time very strictly to finish the paper,' said Sneha Kulkarni, a student from a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Mumbai. Most students, however, felt that the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) were relatively straightforward and scoring.
Education experts have noted that the 2026 Physics paper continued the trend of moving away from rote memorization. Mr. Alok Pandey, a senior Physics PGT with 20 years of experience, stated that the board is clearly testing the conceptual clarity of students. 'The integration of real-world scenarios in the case-study questions is a great move. It prepares students for competitive exams like JEE and NEET while ensuring they understand the core principles of the subject,' he added.
There were no reports of any technical glitches or paper leaks, and the exam was conducted under strict supervision. The CBSE has deployed observers and used high-tech surveillance to ensure the integrity of the board exams this year. The evaluation process is expected to begin within the next week, as the board aims to declare the results by the second week of May.
As the major science stream papers are now concluding, students are shifting their focus to the remaining elective subjects and upcoming entrance tests. The board has advised students to remain calm and utilize the cooling-off period between exams effectively. The next major paper for the Science stream is Chemistry, scheduled for later this week. Official answer keys for the Physics paper are expected to be shared with the evaluation centers by tomorrow morning.
Section C and D, which primarily consisted of long-form questions and case-based studies, were highlighted as the most challenging parts of the paper. Many students reported that while the questions were from the NCERT syllabus, they were not direct. 'The questions on Optics and Electrostatics required a lot of calculation. I had to manage my time very strictly to finish the paper,' said Sneha Kulkarni, a student from a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Mumbai. Most students, however, felt that the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) were relatively straightforward and scoring.
Education experts have noted that the 2026 Physics paper continued the trend of moving away from rote memorization. Mr. Alok Pandey, a senior Physics PGT with 20 years of experience, stated that the board is clearly testing the conceptual clarity of students. 'The integration of real-world scenarios in the case-study questions is a great move. It prepares students for competitive exams like JEE and NEET while ensuring they understand the core principles of the subject,' he added.
There were no reports of any technical glitches or paper leaks, and the exam was conducted under strict supervision. The CBSE has deployed observers and used high-tech surveillance to ensure the integrity of the board exams this year. The evaluation process is expected to begin within the next week, as the board aims to declare the results by the second week of May.
As the major science stream papers are now concluding, students are shifting their focus to the remaining elective subjects and upcoming entrance tests. The board has advised students to remain calm and utilize the cooling-off period between exams effectively. The next major paper for the Science stream is Chemistry, scheduled for later this week. Official answer keys for the Physics paper are expected to be shared with the evaluation centers by tomorrow morning.