On February 21, 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the much-anticipated Class 10 English board examination across 8,000 exam centres in India and 26 countries abroad. For thousands of students, this exam marked a critical milestone in their academic journey, and early feedback from both students and educators suggests that the paper was a fair test of skills, offering more relief than surprise.
According to India Today, the Class 10 English paper this year was described by experts as balanced, moderate to easy in difficulty, and closely aligned with the prescribed syllabus. The exam, held from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm, was meticulously structured to assess students’ reading, writing, grammar, and literature skills. Both the English Communicative and English Language and Literature papers were administered, each carrying 80 marks and spanning three hours.
Sunita Virmani, TGT English at Global Indian International School, Noida, remarked that the question paper "followed the prescribed format, with a balanced distribution of questions from all sections, catering to students of different ability levels." She emphasized that the clear structure and ample practice opportunities had left students well-prepared, allowing most to complete the exam on time and with confidence.
The English Communicative paper was divided into four sections: reading skills, writing skills, grammar, and literature. Meanwhile, the English Language and Literature paper featured three sections: reading skills; grammar and creative writing skills; and literature from the textbook. Each section was designed to test specific competencies, ensuring that students with varied strengths could find opportunities to showcase their abilities.
Vinnita Maheshwari, a subject matter expert at Lancers Army Schools, echoed the sentiment that the paper was "overall moderate to easy. The paper was student-friendly, fair, and scoring, with most questions directly from the syllabus." She noted that while a few questions demanded analytical thinking, nothing strayed beyond what students had prepared for. This approach, she suggested, allowed students to demonstrate concept clarity and rewarded those who had studied diligently.
Mahima Dudeja, PGT English at JAIN International Residential School (JIRS), Bengaluru, provided further insight, stating, "The overall Class 10 English Language and Literature (184) paper was moderately easy. The language used was lucid and coherent, which likely enabled smooth comprehension for most students." According to her, the exam’s focus on competency-based questions meant that students were expected to think critically, compare and contrast ideas, and draw logical conclusions, rather than simply recall memorized facts. She added, "A well-read and well-prepared student would be able to take the paper in their stride, with preparation truly standing them in good stead, leaving them with a sense of confidence and contentment after the attempt."
Section-wise, the reading comprehension portion was widely regarded as accessible and scoring. It presented straightforward questions that required attentive reading and basic analysis, rather than complex interpretation. The writing section offered balanced choices and clear instructions on format and word limits, enabling students to organize their thoughts effectively. Grammar questions were mostly application-based, testing the ability to use rules in context—a shift from rote learning to practical application. However, as noted by both Mahima Dudeja and other educators, a minor punctuation error in a reported speech question may have caused brief confusion among students.
The literature section, according to Gitika Haloi, PGT-English at Modern English School in Assam, "expected learners to have a broader view and sound knowledge of the topics and subtopics." She explained that the section tested understanding of themes and messages, rewarding those with a firm grasp of the prescribed texts. The paper, she said, was "a balanced mix of knowledge, analysis, and application-based questions," requiring careful time management to complete.
CBSE’s emphasis on competency-based education was evident throughout the paper. As highlighted by Careers360, the exam assessed reading comprehension (20 marks), writing skills and grammar (20 marks), and language through literature (40 marks), totaling 80 marks. This structure ensured a comprehensive evaluation of students’ abilities in understanding, expression, and interpretation.
To pass the Class 10 English exam, students are required to score at least 33% in the subject, including theory, practical, and internal assessments. The board’s regulations also stipulate that a minimum Grade D must be achieved, and students must pass both theory and practicals separately in subjects where applicable. In cases where a student falls short by just one mark, the CBSE may award grace marks, but not if the deficit is greater.
Logistics for the exam day were robust, with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) providing special arrangements at metro stations to accommodate the surge in student commuters. Students carrying their admit cards received priority during security checks and ticket purchases—a small but meaningful gesture to ease the stress of exam day.
Strict guidelines were also in place regarding attire and identification. CBSE announced that students not wearing their school dress would not be permitted to enter the exam halls, reinforcing the importance of discipline and uniformity. Regular students were required to bring their school ID, while private candidates needed a government-issued photo ID alongside their admit card.
Following the exam, students were granted access to unofficial answer keys and solved question papers, allowing them to estimate their probable scores and discuss solutions with peers and teachers. This transparency, combined with the availability of sample papers on the official CBSE website, enabled students to prepare thoroughly and evaluate their performance promptly.
CBSE’s commitment to modernization was also evident this year. For Class 12, answer sheets will be assessed using an on-screen marking (OSM) system, aiming to improve consistency and efficiency in evaluation. While Class 10 answer scripts continue to be evaluated manually, the move toward digital assessment for higher classes signals a broader shift in the board’s approach to examinations and grading.
Looking ahead, CBSE has announced the introduction of compulsory Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Classes 9 and 10 starting in the 2026 academic session. This initiative reflects the board’s recognition of the growing importance of digital literacy and emerging technologies in education, preparing students for a rapidly changing world.
With over 25 million students registered for the Class 10 board exams in 2026—including nearly 11 million female students and more than 14 million male students—the stakes remain high. The English exam’s fair and balanced approach, however, has provided reassurance to students, educators, and parents alike. As the first stage of the board exams concludes and preparations begin for subsequent papers, the consensus is clear: preparation, clarity, and a focus on understanding remain the keys to success.
The Class 10 English board exam of 2026 stands as a testament to CBSE’s evolving philosophy—one that values comprehension and critical thinking over rote memorization, ensuring that students are equipped not just to pass exams, but to thrive in the future.