The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has announced the official timetable for the 2026 ICSE and ISC board exams, beginning in February 2026.
CISCE Board Exams 2026: Overview
The CISCE has released the detailed schedule for the 2026 board exams. The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE – Class 10) exams will start on February 17, 2026, while the Indian School Certificate (ISC – Class 12) exams will begin on February 12, 2026.
Around 2.6 lakh ICSE students and 1.5 lakh ISC students are expected to appear this year. The schedule covers over 75 ICSE subjects and 50 ISC subjects. The council has advised candidates to reach their exam centres 30 minutes early and make use of the 15-minute reading time before writing begins.
Results for both ICSE and ISC are likely to be announced between April and May 2026.
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ICSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026
The ICSE Class 10 exams will be conducted from February 17 to March 30, 2026. The exams cover languages, core subjects, and electives, offering a balanced schedule across six weeks.
ICSE 2026 Exam Dates and Subjects:
| Date | Time | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 17 February | 11:00 AM | English Language – Paper 1 |
| Friday, 20 February | 11:00 AM | Literature in English – Paper 2 |
| Saturday, 21 February | 9:00 AM | Art – Paper 1 (Still Life) |
| Monday, 23 February | 11:00 AM | Group III Elective – Section B (Robotics, Data Entry, Dietetic Aide, etc.) |
| Thursday, 26 February | 11:00 AM | Hindi |
| Friday, 27 February | 9:00 AM | Art – Paper 2 (Nature Drawing/Painting) |
| Saturday, 28 February | 9:00 AM | Art – Paper 3 (Original Composition) |
| Monday, 2 March | 11:00 AM | Mathematics |
| Friday, 6 March | 11:00 AM | Languages (Assamese, Bengali, Dzongkha, etc.) |
| Saturday, 7 March | 9:00 AM | Art – Paper 4 (Applied Art) |
| Monday, 9 March | 11:00 AM | Physics – Science Paper 1 |
| Wednesday, 11 March | 11:00 AM | Chemistry – Science Paper 2 |
| Friday, 13 March | 11:00 AM | Biology – Science Paper 3 |
| Monday, 16 March | 11:00 AM | History & Civics – Paper 1 |
| Wednesday, 18 March | 11:00 AM | Geography – Paper 2 |
| Monday, 23 March | 11:00 AM | Group III Elective – Section A (Music, Drama, Fashion Designing, etc.) |
| Wednesday, 25 March | 11:00 AM | Commercial Studies / French (Group II Elective) |
| Friday, 27 March | 11:00 AM | Economics (Group II Elective) |
| Monday, 30 March | 11:00 AM | Environmental Science (Group II Elective) |
ISC Class 12 Date Sheet 2026
The ISC Class 12 exams will run from February 12 to April 6, 2026, covering science, commerce, and arts streams. The schedule ensures adequate gaps for major subjects to help students revise effectively.
ISC 2026 Exam Dates and Subjects:
| Date | Subject |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 12 February | Psychology |
| Friday, 13 February | English – Paper 1 (Language) |
| Saturday, 14 February | Art – Paper 3 (Drawing/Painting of a Living Person); Legal Studies |
| Monday, 16 February | English – Paper 2 (Literature in English) |
| Tuesday, 17 February | Home Science – Paper 1; Electricity & Electronics; Geometrical & Mechanical Drawing |
| Friday, 20 February | Accounts |
| Saturday, 21 February | Mass Media & Communication |
| Monday, 23 February | Chemistry – Paper 1 (Theory) |
| Wednesday, 25 February | History |
| Friday, 27 February | Commerce |
| Saturday, 28 February | Art – Paper 1 (Still Life) |
| Monday, 2 March | Environmental Science – Paper 1 |
| Friday, 6 March | Biology – Paper 1 (Theory) |
| Saturday, 7 March | Fashion Designing – Paper 1; Indian Music – Hindustani – Paper 1 |
| Monday, 9 March | Mathematics |
| Wednesday, 11 March | Business Studies |
| Friday, 13 March | Languages – Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Sanskrit, etc. |
| Saturday, 14 March | Art – Paper 2 (Nature Drawing/Painting) |
| Monday, 16 March | Physics – Paper 1 (Theory) |
| Wednesday, 18 March | Physical Education |
| Monday, 23 March | Economics; Biotechnology – Paper 1 |
| Wednesday, 25 March | Sociology |
| Friday, 27 March | Computer Science – Paper 1 |
| Saturday, 28 March | Art – Paper 4 (Original Imaginative Composition) |
| Monday, 30 March | Political Science |
| Wednesday, 1 April | Elective English; Hospitality Management |
| Saturday, 4 April | Art – Paper 5 (Crafts ‘A’) |
| Monday, 6 April | Geography |
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ISC 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The ISC 2026 exam pattern continues the mix of theory and practical assessments, focusing on conceptual clarity and applied learning. Science and technical subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Home Science include both written exams and lab-based evaluations.
Each theory paper typically lasts 2 to 3 hours and contains a mix of short-answer, long-answer, and analytical questions. Practical and project components carry significant weight in the final grade.
Language papers include separate tests for language skills and literature, while subjects like Art, Music, and Fashion Designing require creative submissions or portfolios. Understanding the weightage of theory and practical sections helps students plan an effective study strategy for scoring well.
