The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced important changes for the Class 10 Board Exams 2026. Starting with exams from February 17, 2026 , students will see a new question paper pattern for Science and Social Science subjects. The main change is that these papers will now have different sections. CBSE introduced these changes to make student evaluation better, encourage deeper understanding, and promote critical thinking among students.
New Exam Pattern for Science and Social Science
From 2026, Class 10 Science and Social Science question papers will be divided into specific sections. Students must answer questions for each section separately.
| Subject | Number of Sections |
| Science | 3 |
| Social Science | 4 |
Question Types: What to Expect
The new paper pattern also changes the types of questions asked. Students need to understand these new question types to prepare well.
- Competency-Based Questions: About 50% of the questions will be competency-based. These questions will check how well students understand concepts and can use their knowledge to solve problems. They test logical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills, not just memorizing facts. Students will need to think critically to answer these.
- Constructive Response Questions: Around 20% of the questions will be constructive response-based. These questions will ask students to explain topics, analyze situations, or give their own reasoned answers in detail. They focus on students' ability to write clear and complete responses based on their understanding.
Important Rules for Answering
CBSE has given clear instructions on how students must write their answers for the new sectional papers. Following these rules is important to avoid losing marks.
- Write in Given Space: Students must write answers within the specific space provided in the answer sheet for each question.
- Do Not Mix Sections: Answers for questions in one section must not be mixed with answers for questions from another section. For example, do not write a History answer in the Geography section.
- Marks Deduction: If answers from different sections are mixed, marks will be deducted during checking. Students must be careful to write answers in their correct sections.
Detailed Section Divisions
Here is a detailed breakdown of the sections for both Science and Social Science papers for the 2026 board exams:
Science Question Paper Sections
The Class 10 Science paper will have three distinct sections:
| Section A | Biology |
| Section B | Chemistry |
| Section C | Physics |
Social Science Question Paper Sections
The Class 10 Social Science paper will have four distinct sections:
| Section A | History |
| Section B | Geography |
| Section C | Political Science |
| Section D | Economics |
Preparing for the New Pattern
To help students prepare well for these new changes, CBSE will release special sample papers. These sample papers will clearly show the new sectional divisions and the types of competency-based and constructive response questions. Students should study these sample papers carefully and practice regularly to understand the new format.
Students appearing for the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026 must understand and follow these new rules and paper patterns for Science and Social Science. It is important to practice writing answers section-wise and focus on conceptual understanding. Staying updated with these guidelines will help them score well in their exams.
