The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will begin the Class 10 Board Examinations for 2026 today, February 16. Lakhs of students are appearing for the first major paper, Mathematics (both Standard and Basic codes). As the exam gets underway, CBSE has released strict, non-negotiable guidelines regarding permitted items, the dress code, and compulsory frisking to ensure the examination process remains fair and disciplined.
Compulsory Frisking and Exam Timings
The CBSE Class 10 Mathematics exam is being held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. According to official board instructions, students arriving at their designated centres are subjected to extensive and compulsory physical frisking before entry. The gates to all examination centres were sealed sharply at 10:00 AM, and no candidates were permitted entry after this time. Students were advised to arrive early to complete the security checks without stress and to account for any potential traffic disruptions.
Official List of Permitted and Barred Items
CBSE has issued a definitive list of what students may carry inside the examination hall and what is strictly forbidden. Possession of any barred item will be treated under the "Unfair Means" category and will attract strict punishment as per board rules.
Students are permitted to carry essential items, including their Admit Card, which is mandatory for all, along with their School Identity Card for regular students or a Government-issued Photo ID for private candidates. Authorized stationery must be carried in a transparent pouch and includes items like a geometry box, blue or royal blue ink pens, scale, eraser, and a writing pad. Personal items such as an analogue watch, a transparent water bottle, metro card, bus pass, and money are also allowed.
On the other hand, several items are strictly prohibited inside the examination centre. These include any textual material, whether printed or written, bits of paper, calculators for general candidates, pen drives, and electronic pens. All communication devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, earphones, smart watches, and cameras are banned. Other personal items like wallets, goggles, handbags, and pouches are not allowed. Additionally, no eatable items, opened or packed, are permitted except for diabetic students who require specific medical exemptions.
Official Dress Code
To maintain uniformity and ease of identification, CBSE has mandated that regular students must report to the exam centre in their complete school uniform, while private candidates are instructed to wear light clothes.
Understanding the Mathematics Paper
As students tackle the three-hour paper, subject experts emphasize the importance of adhering to the instructions on the question paper. Since calculators are banned for general candidates, all calculations must be done manually. For long-answer questions, writing the correct steps and formulae is crucial for scoring marks, even if the final answer contains a minor error. Students are also reminded to draw neat, labelled diagrams where required, especially in geometry sections.
CBSE has also urged students to remain calm and disregard any rumours regarding paper leaks on social media, as strict monitoring is in place. The Class 10 board exams will continue until March 10, 2026.
For the latest updates and official information, students are advised to regularly check the official CBSE website – cbseacademic.nic.in.
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