CBSE Shakes Up 2026 Boards: Second Class 10 Exams and Digital Marking for Class 12

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the reintroduction of On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 answer sheet evaluations during the 2026 board examinations as part of its continued push to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and accuracy in the assessment process. The Secondary and Senior Secondary examinations are scheduled to be conducted from February 17 to April 10, 2026, and will involve students from more than 31,000 affiliated schools across India and 26 countries worldwide.

According to CBSE, approximately 46 lakh students are expected to appear for the examinations this year at more than 8,074 examination centres globally. Alongside the reintroduction of OSM for Class 12, the board has introduced two additional major initiatives. These include conducting second board examinations for Class 10 students and dividing question papers for science and social studies subjects in Class 10 to enhance clarity and subject-specific evaluation. The board stated that these initiatives are aimed at improving the overall examination experience for students while ensuring modernised assessment standards.

To facilitate smooth implementation, CBSE has scheduled a live webcast to provide detailed guidelines on examination conduct and OSM procedures. The webcast will take place on February 13, 2026, starting at 11:00 am and is expected to last approximately two hours. The session will be accessible through CBSE’s official YouTube platform, and schools can also locate the session by searching “Board Exams@CBSE” on YouTube. The board expects the webcast to serve as a crucial orientation programme for institutions and examination officials.

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CBSE has issued mandatory instructions to all affiliated schools regarding participation in the webcast. Schools are required to arrange proper viewing facilities, including a screen, sound system, and stable internet connection. The session must be attended under the supervision of the school principal, with participation made compulsory for teachers of Classes IX to XII, as well as staff members directly involved in examination conduct and evaluation responsibilities. Officials designated as regional officers and their teams have also been directed to take part in the session.

Schools have also been instructed to submit compliance details through the ASAR application. These include uploading a geotagged photograph showing participants attending the webcast and reporting the total number of attendees. CBSE has further advised schools to submit queries related to Centre Superintendent guidelines through email prior to the webcast so that they can be addressed during the live session. Additional queries can be submitted after the programme as well.

The board emphasised that these measures reflect its ongoing efforts to modernise examination processes, strengthen evaluation transparency, and ensure a more efficient and reliable assessment system for students across its affiliated institutions.

Also Read: CBSE Circular Requires Affiliated Schools to Depute Teachers for 2026 Evaluations