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Strict 10 AM Entry Rule Enforced At CBSE Centres ,Day 1 Smooth; Minor Entry Issue Reported In Bihar
The CBSE Board Exams 2026 commenced across the country on Monday, February 17, with more than 4.3 million students appearing for the Class 10 and Class 12 examinations. Approximately 2.5 million students from Class 10 and 1.85 million from Class 12 are participating this year. The examinations are being conducted at 8,074 centres for Class 10 and 7,574 centres for Class 12, reflecting the massive scale of one of India’s largest academic exercises.
The exams are being held in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with entry to centres strictly closed at 10:00 AM. Students were advised to reach their respective centres by 9:45 AM to accommodate security checks and seating arrangements. Authorities enforced strict guidelines, including mandatory admit cards and school ID verification, dress code compliance, and a complete ban on electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, and Bluetooth gadgets.
On the first day, Class 10 students appeared for Mathematics (Basic) and Mathematics (Standard), while Class 12 candidates sat for Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, Engineering Graphics, and Business Studies. The atmosphere outside several examination centres was marked by nervous anticipation in the morning, which gradually shifted to relief as students exited the halls in the afternoon.
Initial reactions from Class 10 students indicated that the Mathematics paper was largely syllabus-based and aligned with NCERT textbooks. Many described it as “easy but lengthy,” noting that while most questions were familiar, effective time management was essential. Students reported that the paper consisted of five sections, including multiple-choice questions, assertion-reasoning questions, short-answer questions, long-answer problems, and case-study-based questions.
Subject experts echoed similar sentiments, stating that the paper was balanced and well-structured. Teachers observed that the exam tested conceptual understanding and application skills rather than rote memorisation. Sections B and C were largely direct and NCERT-oriented, while Section D required step-wise problem-solving and deeper clarity of concepts. The MCQ and reasoning-based questions in Section A were considered slightly challenging, demanding careful reading and strong fundamentals.
However, minor issues were reported in isolated cases. In Bettiah, Bihar, a student was denied entry after arriving late due to heavy traffic, as authorities adhered strictly to the 10:00 AM gate-closing rule. Apart from this, the examination process across the country was reported to be smooth and well-managed, with no major disruptions.
Overall, Day 1 of the CBSE Board Exams 2026 concluded on an organised and disciplined note. With Mathematics setting the tone for the examination season, both students and educators now look ahead to the upcoming papers, hoping for similarly balanced and fair assessments in the days to come.