CBSE Board Exams 2026 : CBSE Notifies Schools with Important Information Regarding the 2026 Board Exams; See Details

CBSE Board Exams 2026: CBSE has issued a necessary notification to schools regarding the submission of the List of Applicants (LOC) for pupils in Classes 10 and 12 who will sit for the 2026 board exams. The Board has urged all connected institutions to ensure that data is submitted accurately and on time, as only pupils on the LOC will be allowed to take the tests.

For the primary time, the Class 10 LOC will include provisions from the recently implemented two-board examination regime. The CBSE has underlined that the main test, planned for February 2026, will be mandatory for all Class 10 students, and the LOC must comprise all candidates. Schools are also expected to link students’ APAAR IDs when providing data, with exceptions made for universities situated abroad.

The Board has said that both the data submission and payment of fees dates will be rigorously adhered to. For institutions in India, the standard fee submission window will be open from August 29 to September 30, 2025, with late fees allowed until October 11, 2025. CBSE has maintained that payments will only be taken digitally.

Principals have been advised to hold orientation seminars for pupils and parents, specifically to explain the second board test for Class 10 in May 2026. Schools must carefully verify students’ personal information, subject codes, and classifications, as no changes will be permitted once the deadlines have passed.

The Board has stated that requests for subject revisions, category modifications, or late sponsorships will not be considered after final submission. Newly joined schools are also required to complete their registration on the OASIS and HPE websites before uploading LOC data. Furthermore, schools must guarantee that the number of candidates sponsored is proportional to their teaching strength, as this will influence evaluator appointments.

The Board has stressed the importance of error-free data and has cautioned that justifications for faulty or incomplete submissions would not be accepted. In October 2025, each candidate will also receive a data verification slip, allowing for restricted adjustments before records are completed.

Data Accuracy is non-negotiable

In its letter, CBSE advised schools to use utmost caution when filling out the LOC. Names, subjects, and section strength cannot be changed once submitted. Schools must ensure that the number of students meets the availability of teachers in each topic, and teachers must be released of evaluation obligations proportionally to the number of candidates supported. Noncompliance could result in severe consequences, such as failure to declare findings.

APAAR ID has been made mandatory.

According to the announcement, a major change this year is the implementation of the APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) ID. All students in India must have a valid APAAR ID, which will be validated by CBSE prior to LOC finalisation. CBSE schools abroad are exempt from APAAR for administrative reasons, however in India, the ID is required for both Class X and XII applicants.

CBSE Board Exams 2026 Fee Structures and Exemptions

The Board has also clarified the exam costs for the CBSE board exams 2025-26.

• India: ₹1,600 per candidate for 5 subjects (₹320 for each extra subject).
• Nepal: ₹5,500 per candidate (₹1,100 for each additional subject).
• Other countries: ₹11,000 per candidate (₹2,200 for each extra subject).
• After the deadline, each candidate would be charged a ₹2,000 late fee. Visually handicapped students are excused from paying test fees in both Class X and XII.

Data Validation and Subject Limitations

CBSE’s letter emphasizes that all subject choices must fully adhere to the prescribed Scheme of Studies. Any non-compliant combination will make a student ineligible for the 2026 board exams.

It claims that once the LOC is filed, schools will receive a Data Verification Slip for each student, which includes information such as name, date of birth, parent names, and subjects. Corrections will be allowed only between October 13 and October 27, 2025. No further alterations will be permitted.

The Board has directed school administrators to attend sessions with teachers, students, and parents to stress the importance of proper data submission. CBSE cautioned schools that inaccuracies in the LOC or inability to comply with APAAR rules could have a direct impact on student eligibility for the 2025-26 CBSE board exams.