CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 Revised: New Section-Wise Rules for Science, Social Science

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced major changes to the Class 10 Science and Social Science exam pattern for the 2026 board examinations. The new structure introduces stricter section-wise formatting and mandatory answer-writing rules designed to improve evaluation accuracy, reduce checking errors, and ensure uniformity across scripts.

CBSE has already released the final datesheet for the 2026 Class 10 and 12 exams. Both exams begin on February 17, 2026, and the Class 10 papers will conclude on March 10, 2026.

Revised Pattern for Class 10 Science Exam

The Science question paper will now be divided into three structured sections:

• Section A: Biology

• Section B: Chemistry

• Section C: Physics

Students must mirror this structure in their answer sheets by clearly labelling each section before writing their responses. All answers must remain within the allotted section. Writing Biology answers in the Chemistry or Physics section—or mixing responses—will not be allowed.

Updated Format for Class 10 Social Science Paper

Social Science will be reorganized into four subject-based sections:

• Section A: History

• Section B: Geography

• Section C: Political Science

• Section D: Economics

The board has warned that incorrectly placed answers—such as writing a Geography response under History—will not be evaluated.

Strict Penalties for Incorrect Sectioning

CBSE has clarified that evaluators will not check responses written outside their designated sections. These mistakes cannot be corrected during verification or re-evaluation. The marking process will strictly follow the updated guidelines.

Schools and Students Advised to Prepare Early

Schools have been instructed to use section-divided answer sheets for class tests, internal assessments, and pre-boards to help students adapt to the revised system. Students are also advised to download the newest sample papers from the CBSE academic portal to understand the updated layout.

CBSE states that the revised pattern enhances fairness and reduces ambiguity in evaluation. Students appearing for the 2026 exams must follow the section-wise structure meticulously, as any deviation may result in loss of marks with no scope for correction later.