The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has officially released the ICSE (Class X) and ISC (Class XII) Board Exam Timetable for the Year 2026, bringing much-awaited clarity for over 4 lakh students in India and abroad. As per CISCE, nearly 2.6 lakh students will appear for the ICSE Class 10 exams, while around 1.5 lakh candidates will write the ISC Class 12 exams in 2026. The Council has retained the practice of giving students 15 minutes of reading time before writing each paper.
Announcing the 2026 schedule, Dr Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive and Secretary, CISCE, said the date sheet marks “a moment of focus, anticipation and aspiration for every learner,” adding that the timetable has been designed to ensure balanced preparation gaps and reduced pressure between papers.
ICSE Class X Exam Dates 2026
The ICSE Class 10 Board Exams will be held from February 17 to March 30, 2026.
| Date | Subject / Paper |
| February 17 | English Language (Paper 1) |
| February 20 | Literature in English (Paper 2) |
| February 21 | Art Paper 1 (Still Life) |
| February 23 | Group III Elective – Robotics & AI, Data Entry, Dietetic Aide, Cashier, Early Years PA Facilitator, Auto Service Technician |
| February 26 | Hindi |
| February 27 | Art Paper 2 (Nature Drawing/Painting) |
| February 28 | Art Paper 3 (Original Composition) |
| March 2 | Mathematics |
| March 6 | Languages (Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Khasi, Lepcha, Mizo, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Tangkhul, Telugu, Urdu + foreign languages) |
| March 7 | Art Paper 4 (Applied Art) |
| March 9 | Physics – Science Paper 1 |
| March 11 | Chemistry – Science Paper 2 |
| March 13 | Biology – Science Paper 3 |
| March 16 | History & Civics – HCG Paper 1 |
| March 18 | Geography – HCG Paper 2 |
| March 23 | Group III Elective (Computer Applications, Mass Media, Physical Education, Yoga, Home Science, etc.) |
| March 25 | Commercial Studies / French (Group II Elective) |
| March 27 | Economics (Group II Elective) |
| March 30 | Environmental Science (Group II Elective) |
ISC Class XII Exam Dates 2026
The ISC Class 12 Board Exams will take place from February 12 to April 6, 2026.
| Date | Subject / Paper |
| February 12 | Psychology |
| February 13 | English Paper 1 |
| February 14 | Art Paper 3; Legal Studies (2 pm) |
| February 16 | English Paper 2 |
| February 17 | Home Science Paper 1; Electricity & Electronics; Geometrical & Mechanical Drawing |
| February 20 | Accounts |
| February 21 | Mass Media & Communication |
| February 23 | Chemistry Paper 1 |
| February 25 | History |
| February 27 | Commerce |
| February 28 | Art Paper 1 (Still Life) |
| March 2 | Environmental Science Paper 1 |
| March 6 | Biology Paper 1 |
| March 7 | Fashion Designing; Indian Music (Hindustani) |
| March 9 | Mathematics |
| March 11 | Business Studies |
| March 13 | Language Papers |
| March 14 | Art Paper 2 (Nature Drawing) |
| March 16 | Physics Paper 1 |
| March 18 | Physical Education |
| March 23 | Economics; Biotechnology Paper 1 |
| March 25 | Sociology |
| March 27 | Computer Science Paper 1 |
| March 28 | Art Paper 4 (Composition) |
| March 30 | Political Science |
| April 1 | Elective English; Hospitality Management |
| April 4 | Art Paper 5 (Crafts ‘A’) |
| April 6 | Geography |
Quick Reference Summary
| Exam | Dates |
| ICSE Class X 2026 | February 17 – March 30, 2026 |
| ISC Class XII 2026 | February 12 – April 6, 2026 |
| Reading Time | 15 minutes before each paper |
| Total Candidates | ~2.6 lakh (ICSE), ~1.5 lakh (ISC) |
| Official Website | cisce.org |
What Students Should Note
- Keep checking the official CISCE website for last-minute updates or corrections.
- Prepare according to the gap days given in the schedule for efficient revision.
- Reach the exam centre early, ensuring compliance with CISCE guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| When will the ICSE Class 10 exams begin in 2026? |
| ICSE Class X exams will start on February 17, 2026. |
| What is the last exam date for ISC Class 12? |
| ISC exams will conclude on April 6, 2026. |
| How many students will appear for CISCE 2026 exams? |
| Around 2.6 lakh for ICSE and 1.5 lakh for ISC. |
| Is reading time provided before exams? |
| Yes, students get 15 minutes of reading time before writing each paper. |
| Where can I download the official CISCE timetable? |
| From the official website, cisce.org. |
| Are preparation gaps included in the schedule? |
| Yes, CISCE has designed the timetable with balanced preparation gaps. |
| Can ISC students appear for multiple elective papers? |
| Students appear only for the subjects they have registered for. |
| Will there be any changes to the date sheet? |
| Students must refer to cisce.org for any official updates. |
The release of the ICSE & ISC 2026 timetables offers students a structured roadmap for planning their board exam preparation. With well-spaced gaps and clear scheduling, CISCE aims to support students’ academic clarity and reduce pressure. For the most accurate updates, students should always rely on the official CISCE website and bookmark this page for timely information throughout the exam season.
DATE SHEET
| Class 10 | CLICK HERE |
| Class 12 | CLICK HERE |
