CBSE 2027 date sheet released: Class 10, 12 board exams from February 16

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the timetable for the 2027 Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. Exams for both classes will begin on February 16, 2027. Beyond the dates, this year's date sheet stands out for the planning behind it. The board prepared the schedule around more than 40,000 subject combinations, so that no student has two chosen subjects on the same day.

According to CBSE, more than 26.5 lakh students have registered for Class 10 and more than 19.8 lakh for Class 12 in 2027. Together, more than 46.3 lakh students will appear for the board exams. The schedule was released on November 6, 2026. The board says the date sheet came out 101 days before the first exam.

A date sheet built on 40,000 subject combinations

CBSE's biggest challenge this year was balancing different subjects and their combinations. Class 10 students will take exams in 83 subjects and Class 12 students in 121 subjects.

The board said the final data on subjects chosen by students became available after schools completed the List of Candidates (LOC) submission. The schedule was finalised on that basis.

Considering more than 40,000 subject combinations was meant to ensure that no student has two chosen subjects on the same day. The board also considered adequate gaps between subjects, the daily number of candidates at exam centres, and teachers' availability at schools during evaluation.

When the Class 10 and Class 12 exams end

Under the CBSE schedule, exams for both Class 10 and Class 12 begin on February 16, 2027, but they end on different dates.

Class 10 board exams will end on March 9, 2027, while Class 12 exams will continue until April 9, 2027. All exams will begin at 10:30 am.

In the early part of the Class 10 schedule, Painting is on February 16, Mathematics (Standard and Basic) on February 17, Home Science on February 19 and Science on February 22.

Class 12 students should check the detailed timetable for their subjects. Their exam period will be about a month longer than that of Class 10.

Schedule planned around entrance exams

An important part of the 2027 date sheet relates to further study and entrance exams for Class 12 students.

In its official notice, the board said the date sheet was prepared with the likely schedule of major entrance exams in mind. It has tried to finish the board exams well before those entrance exams begin.

The aim is to help students manage their time between board exams and preparation for higher education admissions. Students should still check separate notifications from the relevant exam agencies for entrance exam dates and schedules.

Practical exams and internal assessment

Practical exams, projects and internal assessment are also important ahead of the board exams. On November 5, CBSE released the 2026-27 schedule for practical exams and internal assessment at winter-bound schools.

At winter-bound schools, Class 10 and Class 12 practical exams, project assessment and internal assessment will be held from November 9 to December 19, 2026.

For other affiliated schools, the practical exam period begins on January 1, 2027. Winter-bound schools have separate arrangements because schools in these areas may be closed in January due to winter.

The board also instructed that Class 10 internal assessment will be held only once. Schools must therefore upload all students' internal assessment marks within the set deadline.

How an early date sheet helps students

According to the board, the schedule could be finalised early because schools completed the LOC submission on time.

The early release gives students enough time to plan subject-wise preparation and revision. Parents and teachers can also plan their activities around the exam and evaluation schedule.

The board also said the schedule is designed so that teachers are not away from their schools for long during evaluation. This reduces the risk of disruption to academic work in non-board classes.

Schools serving as exam centres will also get enough time to prepare for conducting the exams, including resources and institutional activities.

How to download the CBSE date sheet 2027 PDF

Class 10 and Class 12 students can download the date sheet PDF from the CBSE official website to check their subject-wise exam dates. Follow these steps:

1. Go to the CBSE official website, cbse.gov.in.
2. Open Latest @ CBSE or the exam section on the homepage.
3. Click the link for Date Sheet for Class X and Class XII Board Examinations, 2027.
4. The date sheet PDF will open on the screen.
5. Carefully check your subject name, subject code, exam date and time.
6. Download the PDF and keep it safe.

Students are advised to treat only the official CBSE PDF as final, rather than any unauthorised timetable circulating on social media.