The CBSE Class 10 English paper was held on February 21, 2026. The three-hour question paper was divided into two parts: Theory paper – 80 marks and Internal Assessment – 20 marks, making it a total of 100 marks. Over 2.5 million Class 10 students across India prepared to take the English Language and Literature examination conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
The English exam follows a simple and balanced structure. The paper is divided into three main sections: Reading Skills, Writing Skills with Grammar, and Language through Literature.
The Reading Skills section carries 20 marks and assesses comprehension and interpretation of texts.
Writing Skills with Grammar, also worth 20 marks, evaluates the student’s ability to communicate effectively, along with their command of grammar.
The largest section, Language through Literature, is worth 40 marks and focuses on understanding and analysing prose, poetry, and plays. This structure ensures a well-rounded assessment of language, communication, and literary skills.
According to Sonu Punni, TGT English at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, ‘The overall difficulty level of the question paper was moderate, making it fairly manageable for well-prepared students. While most sections were straightforward, a few questions required careful reading and analytical thinking to answer accurately. The paper was well-structured and ensured balanced coverage of all sections, Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Literature, in alignment with CBSE guidelines.”
The questions were predominantly competency-based and application-orientated, particularly in the Literature section, where students were expected to demonstrate interpretation and conceptual understanding rather than rely solely on memorisation.
“Some competency-based questions in the Reading and Literature sections were slightly challenging, demanding deeper comprehension. However, the Writing and Grammar section emerged as the highest scoring, especially for students who adhered to the prescribed formats and articulated their ideas with clarity and precision,” Ms Punni said in conclusion.