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CISCE ICSE date sheet 2026 released: Check class 10 time table, exam pattern, and marking scheme here

CISCE ICSE date sheet 2026 released: Check class 10 time table, exam pattern, and marking scheme here

TOI Education / Updated: Nov 13, 2025, 17:08 IST

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The CISCE has unveiled the 2026 ICSE Class 10 exam timetable, with examinations commencing on February 17 and concluding on March 30. Approximately 2.6 lakh students are expected to participate. The board emphasizes reaching centers early and utilizing the reading period effectively. Students must adhere to subject selection criteria across three groups.

CISCE ICSE date sheet 2026 released: Check class 10 time table, exam pattern, and marking scheme here

CISCE ICSE date sheet 2026: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has officially released the timetable for the 2026 Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) Class 10 examinations. The exams will commence on 17 February, 2026 and conclude on 30 March, 2026, covering a duration of around six weeks.This year, the board examinations are scheduled earlier than in 2025. Approximately 2.6 lakh students are expected to appear for ICSE across India and abroad. The timetable includes a wide range of core subjects, second languages, and elective papers. The Council has also advised students to reach their examination centres at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time and make effective use of the 15-minute reading period allotted before each paper.

ICSE Class 10 date sheet 2026

Here is the detailed ICSE Class 10 timetable for the 2026 board examinations:

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 (Ao-Naga, 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)

ICSE Class 10 exam 2026: Subject criteria

Students must select a minimum of six subjects from three defined groups:Group 1 (Compulsory): English, Second Language, and History, Civics and GeographyGroup 2: Two or three subjects from Mathematics, Science, Economics, Commercial Studies, Modern Foreign Language, Classical Language, or Environmental ScienceGroup 3: One subject from options such as Computer Applications, Art, Performing Arts, Home Science, Fashion Designing, Yoga, or Robotics and Artificial IntelligenceSubject combinations not allowed:

Sanskrit as a Second Language (Group 1) and Sanskrit as a Classical Language (Group 2)
Economics (Group 2) and Economic Applications (Group 3)
Commercial Studies (Group 2) and Commercial Applications (Group 3)
Environmental Science (Group 2) and Environmental Applications (Group 3)
Modern Foreign Language repeated across multiple groups

ICSE Class 10 exam pattern 2026

The CISCE follows a structured assessment system, dividing subjects into three groups with distinct marking schemes as outlined below:

Group 1 (Compulsory Subjects):

Subject	Question type	Total marks
English	Paper 1: Composition, Letter, Notice/Email, Unseen Passage Paper 2: Drama, Prose, Poetry from prescribed textbooks	80 marks for each paper + 20 internal assessment
History, Civics, Geography	History & Civics: Part I (short answers), Part II (structured answers) Geography: Map work and five structured questions	80 marks for each written paper + 20 internal assessment
Second Language	Composition, Letter, Comprehension, Grammar, Translation, Dialogue Writing	80 marks written + 20 internal assessment

Group 2:

Subject	Question type	Total marks
Mathematics	Section I: Compulsory short answers Section II: Four out of seven long questions	80 written + 20 internal assessment
Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)	Each paper divided into two sections – short answers and structured questions	80 for each paper + 20 internal assessment
Economics	Section A: Short answers (compulsory) Section B: Four detailed questions	80 written + 20 internal assessment
Commercial Studies	Section A: Compulsory short answers Section B: Four long-answer questions	80 written + 20 internal assessment
Modern Foreign / Classical Language	Grammar, Translation, Composition, and Unseen Passage	80 written + 20 internal assessment
Environmental Science	Section A: Short answers (compulsory) Section B: Any four long-answer questions	80 written + 20 internal assessment

Group 3:

Subject	Question type	Total marks
Computer Applications	Section A: Short answers Section B: Detailed programming questions	100 written + 100 internal
Economic Applications	Part I: Short answers Part II: Four detailed questions	100 written + 100 internal
Commercial Applications	Section A: Compulsory short answers Section B: Four long answers	100 written + 100 internal
Art	Two papers from four options: Still Life, Nature Drawing, Imaginative Composition, Applied Art	100 written + 100 internal (each paper)
Performing Arts	Vocal, Instrumental or Tabla sections	100 written + 100 internal
Home Science / Cookery / Fashion Designing	Short answers (Section A) and long answers (Section B)	100 written + 100 internal
Physical Education / Yoga	Theory sections on skills, games, and training methods	100 written + 100 internal
Technical Drawing Applications	Section I: Three out of five questions Section II: Two out of three	100 written + 100 internal
Environmental Applications	Section A: Short answers Section B: Long answers	100 written + 100 internal
Mass Media & Communication	Section A: Short answers Section B: Long answers	100 written + 100 internal
Hospitality Management	Section A: Short answers Section B: Long answers	100 written + 100 internal

ICSE Class 10 exam 2026: Preparation tips

With the exam schedule now announced, students can strengthen their preparation by following these study tips:

Organise study materials: Keep textbooks, reference notes, and past papers systematically arranged.
Avoid procrastination: Begin preparation early to avoid stress near examination dates.
Complete syllabus early: Aim to finish the syllabus at least two months before the exams.
Plan weekly targets: Track topics covered to maintain consistent progress.
Prioritise revision: Solve previous years’ question papers and competency-based questions.
Consult teachers: Seek clarification and feedback regularly to strengthen weak areas.

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