CBSE 10th 2026: New Rules for Science & Social Science Papers
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a crucial directive for students appearing in the CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026, specifically for the CBSE Science Paper Section and CBSE Social Science Paper Sections. This mandatory section-wise answer-writing format aims to enhance the clarity and uniformity of the evaluation process.
Students and schools must pay close attention to these CBSE 10th Exam 2026 Guidelines, as non-compliance could lead to a direct loss of marks. This CBSE Board Exam Update is vital information for all stakeholders.
Key Highlights of the New CBSE Guidelines
The notification, issued for the board examinations scheduled between February 17 and March 10, 2026, mandates a structured approach to answering the question papers.
1. Science Paper: Divided into Three Sections
The Class 10 Science question paper and the corresponding answer book must be strictly divided into three subject-specific sections: Section Subject Section A Biology Section B Chemistry Section C Physics
2. Social Science Paper: Divided into Four Sections
Similarly, the Social Science question paper and the answer book must be clearly demarcated into four sections:
Section Subject Section A History Section B Geography Section C Political Science (Civics) Section D Economics
Strict Instructions for Candidates
The new guidelines carry a stern warning regarding the placement of answers. Students must follow these instructions meticulously during the examination, focusing on the new CBSE Class 10 Answer Writing Rules:
- Mandatory Answer Book Division: Students are required to divide and label their answer booklet into the prescribed three sections for Science and four sections for Social Science before beginning to write.
- Designated Space Only: Answers must be written only within the space allocated for the corresponding section.
- No Mixing of Sections: An answer belonging to one section (e.g., Physics) must not be written or mixed in any other section (e.g., Biology or Chemistry).
Consequences of Non-Compliance
CBSE has explicitly stated the consequences of mixing answers across sections:
Answers mixed across sections will NOT be evaluated, and no marks will be awarded for such responses.
Furthermore, these mistakes will not be considered or addressed during the process of verification of marks or revaluation after the results are declared.
Action Plan for Schools and Students
To ensure a smooth examination process, the board has strongly advised schools to take proactive steps:
- Practice with Section-Wise Answer Sheets: Schools must conduct all regular tests, internal assessments, and pre-board examinations using the new section-wise answer writing format. This ensures students develop the necessary habit and avoid critical errors in the final board exam.
- Familiarise with Sample Papers: Students are advised to download and practice with the latest official CBSE Sample Question Papers (SQP) from the CBSE academic website.
This change is a move towards greater clarity in evaluation and standardisation across all centres. By following the new section-wise rule, students can ensure their efforts are correctly evaluated and avoid unnecessary loss of marks.
CBSE 10th 2026: New Rules for Science & Social Science Papers
