CISCE released ISC timetable on November 13, 2025 . This is the official ISC Date Sheet 2026 for Class 12 students and it sets the exam window and practical schedules you must plan around.
Overview: What is the ISC Date Sheet 2026
The ISC Date Sheet 2026 is the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) schedule for Class 12 theory and practical exams. The board released the timetable on 13 Nov 2025 and posted it on cisce.org , the official website.
The main exam window ran from 12 Feb 2026 to 06 Apr 2026 . Practicals were conducted along with theory exams at the centres and marked by teachers present on the same day.
ISC Date Sheet 2026 - Key Dates at a Glance
Below are the most important dates from the ISC Date Sheet 2026 you need to note.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Timetable release (official) | 13 Nov 2025 |
| Start of ISC exams 2026 (theory + practicals) | 12 Feb 2026 |
| End of ISC exams 2026 | 06 Apr 2026 |
| Previous year ISC result (reference) | 30 Apr 2025 |
| ISC improvement exams (tentative 2026) | 01 Jul 2026 – 17 Jul 2026 |
| ISC improvement results (previous year) | 31 Jul 2025 |
If you need the primary document, check CISCE’s official notifications at cisce.org or ask your school for the exact PDF.
How to Download the ISC Time Table 2026 (Step-by-step)
You can download the ISC time table 2026 from the board site. Follow these simple steps.
- Go to cisce.org and look for the ISC (Class 12) section.
- Click the link labelled 'ISC Date Sheet 2026' or 'ISC 12th Time Table 2026'.
- Open the PDF that appears, verify the header and release date (should read 13 Nov 2025 ).
- Save the file on your phone or laptop and take a printout for quick reference.
Checklist — when you open the PDF, confirm these details: school code, centre code (if listed), subject names, exam dates, start time and total duration.
Detailed Exam Schedule & Patterns
Most ISC theory papers run for 3 hours and are held in two common start slots: 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM . Art papers and some language papers use the 9:00 AM slot more often.
Below is a representative schedule from the official date sheet. Use it to plan your revision order and mocks.
| Day & Date | Time | Subject / Paper | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Psychology | 3 hrs |
| 13 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 1 (Language) | 3 hrs |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 3 (Drawing or Painting of a Living Person) | 3 hrs |
| 14 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Legal Studies | 3 hrs |
| 16 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 2 (Literature) | 3 hrs |
| 17 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Home Science – Paper 1; Electricity & Electronics; Geometrical & Machine Drawing | 3 hrs |
| 20 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Accounts | 3 hrs |
| 21 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mass Media & Communication | 3 hrs |
| 23 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Chemistry – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| 25 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | History | 3 hrs |
| 27 Feb 2026 | 2:00 PM | Commerce | 3 hrs |
| 28 Feb 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 1 (Drawing or Painting – still life) | 3 hrs |
| 02 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Environmental Science – Paper 1 | 3 hrs |
| 06 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Biology – Paper 1 | 3 hrs |
| 07 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Fashion Designing – Paper 1; Indian Music (Hindustani, Carnatic) | 3 hrs |
| 09 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mathematics | 3 hrs |
| 11 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Business Studies | 3 hrs |
| 13 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Modern Indian Languages (multiple) | 3 hrs |
| 14 Mar 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 2 (Drawing or Painting from Nature) | 3 hrs |
| 16 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Physics – Paper 1 | 3 hrs |
| 18 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Physical Education | 3 hrs |
| 23 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Economics, Biotechnology | 3 hrs |
| 25 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Sociology | 3 hrs |
| 27 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Computer Science – Paper 1 | 3 hrs |
| 28 Mar 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 4 (Original Imaginative Composition in Colour) | 3 hrs |
| 30 Mar 2026 | 2:00 PM | Political Science | 3 hrs |
| 01 Apr 2026 | 2:00 PM | Elective English; Hospitality Management | 3 hrs |
| 04 Apr 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 5 (Crafts 'A') | 3 hrs |
| 06 Apr 2026 | 2:00 PM | Geography | 3 hrs |
Note: The table above lists representative subjects and timings exactly as shown in the official ISC Date Sheet 2026 PDF. Always refer to the PDF you downloaded for the full subject-wise schedule.
Practical Exams: Timings, Conduct & Marks
Practicals were held along with the theory exams during the main window. Here are the official operational details you must follow.
- Practical question papers were distributed at 8:45 AM to allow time for reading instructions.
- Students were permitted to start the practical writing at 9:00 AM .
- Practical marks were awarded by the teacher/examiner present on the day and recorded at the centre.
- For Physical Education Paper 2 , practicals could be scheduled by the school on a convenient day — check with your school for the exact date.
If you are unsure about the practical schedule for your subjects, contact your school immediately. Practical sessions are centre-managed; schools publish the day-wise list for internal coordination.
Exam Day Instructions Every Student Must Follow
You must follow CISCE’s rules to avoid stress or penalties on exam day. Key instructions from the ISC Date Sheet 2026 are below.
| Instruction | Details |
|---|---|
| Reading time | You get an extra 15 minutes reading time before you start writing |
| Prohibited items | Calculators, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets are banned in the hall |
| Admit card | Carry your Admit Card ISC 2026 and valid school/ID proof |
| Arrival time | Reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before start time |
| Late arrival | Late students must give a satisfactory reason to the Supervising Examiner |
| Answer booklet IDs | Write Unique ID and Index Number on the inner page of the LICR answer booklet |
Read question papers carefully during the extra reading time, plan answers and avoid spending too much time on one question.
LICR Answer Booklet & Identification Requirements
ISC uses a LICR (Live Ink Character Recognition) answer booklet for machine-assisted data capture. Small errors in filling ID fields can cause processing delays.
- On the inner cover of the LICR answer booklet, clearly write your Unique ID , Index Number , Subject name and other fields exactly as on your admit card.
- Use dark blue or black ballpoint pen if the instructions specify. Fill boxes cleanly and avoid overwriting.
- If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and rewrite clearly. Do not use white fluid.
If your centre provides instructions different from the PDF, follow your centre’s supervising examiner but ensure the LICR fields match your admit card.
Preparation Strategy After the Timetable Release
Now that the ISC Date Sheet 2026 is out, you must convert dates into a revision plan. Prioritise based on exam order and your strengths.
- Make a subject calendar: block study sessions for each subject from now until the exam date shown on the ISC time table 2026.
- Practise full-length mocks in real time. Most papers are 3 hours ; simulate the extra 15-minute reading time too.
- Use previous year question papers and sample papers to understand question types and marking patterns. This helps with speed and accuracy.
- Presentation tips: write legible answers, use headings/subheadings, number answers clearly and cross out mistakes with a single line.
Time allocation tip: For a 3-hour paper, spend the first 15 minutes reading, then allocate time per question based on marks. Keep 10–15 minutes for revision.
Improvement Exams: Who Should Apply & Tentative Schedule
If you want to improve one or two subject scores from the main result, CISCE offers improvement exams. The board conducted improvement exams in 2025 between 01 Jul 2025 and 17 Jul 2025 and released results on 31 Jul 2025 .
The ISC Date Sheet 2026 lists a tentative improvement exam window from 01 Jul 2026 to 17 Jul 2026 . The exact timetable is usually released later (often May–June), and your school will publish the subject-wise slots.
Representative tentative improvement schedule (as shown by the board pattern):
| Date (Tentative) | Time | Typical Subjects | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mathematics, Environmental Science, Sociology, Legal Studies | 3 hrs |
| 03 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Commerce, Chemistry Paper 1, Geography | 3 hrs |
| 04 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Hindi, Nepali | 3 hrs |
| 07 Jul 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 1 | 3 hrs |
| 09 Jul 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 2; 2:00 PM : Economics, Biology Paper 1 | 3 hrs |
| 11 Jul 2026 | 2:00 PM | Biotechnology Paper 1, Accounts, Psychology, Political Science | 3 hrs |
| 14–17 Jul 2026 | Various | English papers, Computer Science Paper 1, Physical Education, Fashion Designing | 3 hrs |
Exact timings and dates will be confirmed in the official improvement date sheet. Speak to your school to register for improvement exams and pay any fees they require.
Results, Rechecking & Next Steps
CISCE usually publishes ISC results on cisce.org . Last year the ISC result 2025 was declared on 30 Apr 2025 . ISC result 2026 will be announced soon; watch the official site or your school notice board.
If you want rechecking or revaluation, the board’s process and fee structure are published with the result notification. For 2026, no new revaluation procedure was published in the date sheet; contact your school or CISCE helpline for the official steps after results are live.
Keep these documents ready after results: original marksheet (when issued by school/board), provisional certificates, and digital copies on DigiLocker if available.
Additional Resources & Coverage Gaps to Watch For
Official documents and PDFs are available on cisce.org . Your school will also share centre-wise practical schedules and admit card details.
Gaps you should track (not published in the date sheet): exam fee amounts, stepwise online registration for improvements, subject-wise syllabus PDFs in one place, chapter-wise marking weightage, city-wise centre lists, sample question paper downloads, exact rechecking timelines for 2026, and special accommodations.
Actionable tip: bookmark cisce.org and ask your school to forward any centre-specific circulars. Schools often get centre allocations, room lists and practical timetables directly from CISCE.
Quick Checklist for Exam Week
- Carry your Admit Card (ISC 2026) and a photo ID.
- Pack only allowed stationery; keep calculators and mobiles out of the exam hall.
- Reach the centre 30 minutes early and follow centre instructions for seating.
- During practicals, be at the centre at the time your school has announced — practical question papers are given at 8:45 AM and writing starts 9:00 AM .
- Fill LICR booklet details carefully: Unique ID , Index Number , Subject .
FAQs (Common Questions Students Ask)
Q1: When was the ISC Date Sheet 2026 released? A: CISCE released the ISC timetable on 13 Nov 2025 . The official PDF is available on cisce.org .
Q2: What are the ISC exam dates 2026? A: ISC Class 12 exams were held from 12 Feb 2026 to 06 Apr 2026 , including practicals held alongside theory.
Q3: When will ISC result 2026 be declared? A: ISC result 2026 will be announced on cisce.org . As a reference, the ISC result 2025 was declared on 30 Apr 2025 .
Q4: What is the LICR answer booklet and what must I write on it? A: LICR is a Live Ink Character Recognition booklet used by ISC for machine-readable data. You must write your Unique ID , Index Number and Subject on the inner page as per instructions.
Q5: Are calculators and phones allowed in the exam hall? A: No. Calculators, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets are strictly banned in the examination hall per the ISC Date Sheet 2026.
Q6: When are practical question papers distributed and when can we start? A: Practical question papers were distributed at 8:45 AM and students were allowed to start writing at 9:00 AM .
Q7: If I want to improve marks, when are the improvement exams? A: The tentative improvement window for 2026 is 01 Jul 2026 – 17 Jul 2026 . Exact dates and the official timetable will be released later on cisce.org .
Q8: What should I do if I fall sick on the exam day? A: Inform your school immediately and the exam centre/supervising examiner on arrival. Keep medical proof ready; the centre will follow CISCE’s rules for genuine medical absences.
If anything in the date sheet looks different from what your school shared, trust the official PDF on cisce.org and verify with your school. Study smart, follow the timetable, and use mock tests to build stamina for the full 3-hour papers.