CBSE

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is a national-level board of education in India for public and private schools, controlled and managed by the Government of India. Established with the goal of providing a common standard of education across the country, CBSE is one of the most popular boards in India. It is known for its structured syllabus and its role in conducting major competitive entrance exams like JEE and NEET (via NTA).

For more details, visit the official CBSE website.

The first Board of Secondary Education was set up in Rajputana, Gwalior, and Central India in 1929. Later, in 1952, it was renamed the Central Board of Secondary Education. The board was reconstituted in 1962 to make its services available to students and various educational institutions in the entire country. Today, CBSE has a global presence with schools affiliated in over 25 countries.

CBSE grants affiliation to various types of schools, including:

• Government Schools: Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs).
• Private Schools: Independent schools that follow the CBSE curriculum.
• Aided Schools: Schools receiving grants from the government.

As of 2026, there are over 27,000 schools in India and approximately 240 schools in 28 foreign countries affiliated with the board.

The CBSE Class 10 Board Exams for the 2026 session follow a comprehensive assessment pattern:

• Theory Exam: 80 marks conducted at the end of the year.
• Internal Assessment: 20 marks based on periodic tests, notebooks, and subject enrichment activities.
• Syllabus: Primarily based on NCERT textbooks.
• Grading: A nine-point grading system is used to indicate the performance level of students.

Students can download the latest curriculum from the CBSE Academic Portal.

The Class 12 exams are the gateway to higher education. The pattern includes:

• Streams: Science, Commerce, and Humanities (Arts).
• Weightage: Depending on the subject, the theory component ranges from 70 to 80 marks, with 20 to 30 marks reserved for practicals or project work.
• Evaluation: Focuses on critical thinking and application-based questions as per the National Education Policy (NEP).

For the 2026 academic cycle, the CBSE Board Exams are expected to commence in February 2026 and conclude by April 2026. The official date sheet is typically released in December 2025. Practical exams are usually conducted in January 2026.

To be eligible for the 2026 exams, students must:

• Be enrolled in a CBSE-affiliated school.
• Have completed the required course of study for Class 9 or 11 respectively.
• Meet the minimum attendance requirement (usually 75%).

Registration for regular candidates is handled by their respective schools, while private candidates must register through the CBSE portal during the specified window.

To pass the CBSE exams, a student must secure at least 33% marks in each subject (including both theory and practical/internal assessment where applicable). The results are hosted on the CBSE Results Server. Students who fail in one or two subjects are eligible to appear for the Compartment Exams held shortly after the main results.

CBSE offers several scholarship schemes to support meritorious students:

• Single Girl Child Scholarship: For girls who are the only child in their family and have secured 60% or more in Class 10.
• Central Sector Scheme: For college and university students based on Class 12 performance.
• Merit Scholarship: For professional courses.

Headquarters: Shiksha Kendra, 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar, Delhi - 110092.