The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a fresh notification outlining significant modifications to the Class 10 question paper pattern for the 2026 Board exams. The changes aim to enhance the quality, accuracy, and fairness of evaluation.
Under the revised system, both Science and Social Science papers will now follow a strictly sectioned structure. Students will be required to write answers only within the designated sections of the answer booklet, and any mixing of responses across sections will not be evaluated.
Revised Pattern for Science
The Science question paper has been divided into three clear sections:
- Section A – Biology
- Section B – Chemistry
- Section C – Physics
Students must maintain the same division in their answer booklets.
Revised Pattern for Social Science
The Social Science paper has been reorganised into four major sections:
- Section A – History
- Section B – Geography
- Section C – Political Science
- Section D – Economics
Responses must be written exclusively in their respective sections.
CBSE has emphasised that any deviation, like writing History answers under Geography or mixing answers between Physics and Biology, will result in non-evaluation of those responses. These errors will not be corrected or reconsidered even during verification or revaluation after results.
To help students familiarise themselves with the updated structure, CBSE has uploaded sample Science and Social Science question papers on its official website.
Competency-based Focus from 2026
In line with earlier announcements, board exams from 2026 will feature a competency-heavy format:
- 50% competency-based questions, including MCQs, case-based, source-based, data interpretation and situational problems
- 20% MCQs
- 30% short- and long-answer questions
The shift aims to prioritise conceptual clarity and application of knowledge over rote memorisation.
Additionally, CBSE will implement two Board exams annually from 2026, in accordance with NEP 2020.
The CBSE Class 10 and 12 Board exams for the 2026 cycle begin on February 17, with Class 10 concluding on March 10 and Class 12 on April 9.