CBSE Circular Requires Affiliated Schools to Depute Teachers for 2026 Evaluations

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all affiliated schools to depute teachers assigned for evaluation duties for the 2026 Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations, stressing that timely assessment is essential for the declaration of results. In a circular dated February 9, the Board instructed school managers, principals and heads to ensure that teachers appointed as examiners, head examiners and in other evaluation roles are relieved as per the schedule communicated.

The CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations will commence on February 17. Class 10 exams are scheduled to conclude on March 11, while Class 12 exams will end on April 10, 2026. Approximately 46 lakh students from across India and 26 other countries are expected to appear for the examinations this year, making it one of the largest school-level assessments globally.

Highlighting the importance of evaluation work, CBSE said the assessment of answer scripts is a time-bound and critical exercise directly linked to the announcement of results. The Board cautioned that any delay in deputing teachers could disrupt the evaluation timeline. It reiterated that participation in board-related duties is mandatory under its examination bye-laws and warned that non-compliance may be viewed seriously.

Also Read: CBSE Announces On-Screen Marking Revolution for Class 12 Board Exams from 2026

For 2026, CBSE is introducing several reforms aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A second board examination for Class 10 will be conducted for the first time, beginning May 15 and spanning around 15 days. Additionally, science and social science question papers will follow a section-wise format, dividing science into physics, chemistry and biology, and social science into history, geography, political science and economics, with evaluation carried out by subject-specific teachers.

The Board will also implement On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 answer scripts for the first time, while Class 10 evaluations will continue in physical mode. Updated standard operating procedures, reduced answer script allocation per evaluator, capacity-building programmes, instructional videos and a shorter evaluation window of 8–10 days have been introduced to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Schools have been advised to make alternative academic arrangements during the period teachers are engaged in evaluation duties.

Also Read: CBSE Announces On-Screen Marking Revolution for Class 12 Board Exams from 2026