ISC Time Table 2026: Complete Class 12 Exam Dates, Practical Schedule, Admit Card & Exam Day Instructions
CISCE conducted the ISC Class 12 exams from 12 February 2026 to 6 April 2026 . The official ISC Time Table 2026 was released by the board on 13 November 2025 and was used to schedule over 90,000 students across India.
This guide walks you through the ISC timetable 2026, practical exam notes, how to download the PDF from the CISCE website, exam-day instructions, the tentative improvement exam window and practical checklists you can print.
Quick overview
The ISC Class 12 exam window ran from 12 Feb — 6 Apr 2026 . Over 90,000 students sit the ISC every year; 99,901 appeared in 2023-24 and 98,088 passed that year. Boys numbered 52,765 and girls 47,136 in 2023-24.
You need the ISC Time Table 2026 to map your revision and to note subject-wise dates. Practical dates are set by your school. Results are expected between April–May 2026 (tentative) .
ISC Time Table 2026 — Full dates and timings
The CISCE released the official ISC Class 12 time table on 13 Nov 2025 . Most theory papers have a duration of three hours and students are given an extra 15 minutes reading time before writing starts.
Below is the full ISC Time Table 2026 as published by the board (date | time | subject/paper | duration):
| Day & Date | Time | Subject / Paper | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 12, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Psychology | 3 hrs |
| February 13, 2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 1 (English Language) | 3 hrs |
| February 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 3 (Drawing or Painting of a Living Person) | 3 hrs |
| February 14, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Legal Studies | 3 hrs |
| February 16, 2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 2 (Literature in English) | 3 hrs |
| February 17, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Home Science – Paper 1 (Theory), Electricity and Electronics, Geometrical and Machine Drawing | 3 hrs |
| February 20, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Accounts | 3 hrs |
| February 21, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mass Media & Communication | 3 hrs |
| February 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Chemistry – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| February 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM | History | 3 hrs |
| February 27, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Commerce | 3 hrs |
| February 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 1 (Drawing or Painting — Still Life) | 3 hrs |
| March 2, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Environmental Science – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| March 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Biology – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| March 7, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Fashion Designing – Paper 1 (Theory), Indian Music – Hindustani, Carnatic | 3 hrs |
| March 9, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Mathematics | 3 hrs |
| March 11, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Business Studies | 3 hrs |
| March 13, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Languages (Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Khasi, Mizo, Malayalam, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Modern Armenian, Tibetan, Arabic, Sanskrit) | 3 hrs |
| March 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 2 (Drawing or Painting from Nature) | 3 hrs |
| March 16, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Physics – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| March 18, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Physical Education | 3 hrs |
| March 23, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Economics, Biotechnology | 3 hrs |
| March 25, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Sociology | 3 hrs |
| March 27, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Computer Science – Paper 1 (Theory) | 3 hrs |
| March 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 4 (Original Imaginative Composition in Colour) | 3 hrs |
| March 30, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Political Science | 3 hrs |
| April 1, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Elective English, Hospitality Management | 3 hrs |
| April 4, 2026 | 9:00 AM | Art Paper 5 (Crafts ‘A’) | 3 hrs |
| April 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Geography | 3 hrs |
Note: The timetable shows start times that include the scheduled reading window. Always confirm the morning/afternoon slot on your admit card.
Practical exams: schedule and school responsibilities
Practical exam dates are not posted centrally for all schools. Your school communicates the practical schedule and venue. You must contact your school early to know your practical dates.
The board guidance states practical question papers will likely be distributed at 8:45 AM so students can begin writing at 9:00 AM . For some subjects — like Physical Education or Art — practicals may be held on any convenient day and scheduled by the school.
Key practical points:
- Schools set detailed practical timetables and inform students.
- Art and craft practicals often have morning sessions (9:00 AM) due to light and setup needs.
- Bring only permitted materials; schools will share the list.
If you do not receive a school circular, ask your class teacher or Principal in writing and keep a copy of that communication.
How to download the ISC Time Table PDF (step-by-step)
The official CISCE PDF is the authoritative file. Download and save it to avoid confusion.
Steps:
- Visit the official CISCE website at cisce.org.
- Look for the "ISC 12th Time Table 2026" link on the homepage or under the examinations section.
- Open the PDF, confirm the release date 13 Nov 2025 on the file, then download.
- Save a copy on your phone/cloud and print one clean copy to pin above your study table.
When you download, cross-check the file date and the list of subjects. If your subject or date looks different from what your school sent, clarify with the school.
Details mentioned in the time table & what they mean
The ISC Class 12 time table lists date, day, start time, subject/paper and duration. It also repeats important directions to students.
What to check on the PDF:
- Your subject name and paper number.
- Exact start time (morning/afternoon).
- Whether the paper is theory or practical.
- Any special instructions for art or music practicals.
LICR booklet fields:
- You must write your Unique ID and Index Number and the Subject on the inner page of the LICR (Live Ink Character Recognition) answer booklet.
- Write question serial numbers clearly at the start of each answer.
If a paper has multiple parts or alternate lists (languages, art papers), check the precise paper code on the PDF and on your admit card.
Exam day instructions every student must follow
Carry your admit card and reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. This avoids last-minute stress.
Banned items:
- Calculators and mobile phones are not allowed inside the examination hall.
- Any electronic gadget or unauthorised material is prohibited.
Reading time:
- Students are given an extra 15 minutes reading time before the writing period. Use it to read the whole paper, mark questions you plan to answer and draft a rough plan.
- Do not start writing until the invigilator instructs you.
Late arrival policy:
- If you arrive late, the supervising examiner will record your arrival. You may have to give a satisfactory reason. Extra time is generally not granted.
Filling LICR and answer booklet:
- Write Unique ID, Index Number and Subject exactly as on your admit card on the inner page of the LICR booklet.
- Begin each answer with the serial number of the question and keep your handwriting legible.
Preparation checklist based on the timetable
Map your revision to the ISC subject schedule. Create a subject-by-date plan and follow it daily.
A simple prep routine:
- Use the timetable to place high-weight subjects earlier in your revision cycle.
- Practice ISC specimen question papers and previous year papers under timed conditions. Time the papers as per official exam duration.
- Make short notes and formula sheets for last-minute revision.
- In the last 20 days, prioritise revision and practice over learning new topics.
When dates are close:
- If two major papers fall within a few days, split study time: morning for one subject, evening for the other.
- Stick to practice papers to build speed.
Improvement exams: tentative timetable and key steps
If you plan to improve one or more subject grades, the ISC improvement exam timetable will likely be released in June 2026 . The board indicated a tentative improvement window of 1 July — 17 July 2026 .
Tentative improvement exam schedule (published dates are provisional):
| Date (Tentative) | Time | Subjects | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Jul-2026 | 2:00 PM | Mathematics, Environmental Science, Sociology, Legal Studies | 3 hrs |
| 3-Jul-2026 | 2:00 PM | Commerce, Chemistry Paper 1, Geography | 3 hrs |
| 4-Jul-2026 | 2:00 PM | Hindi, Nepali | 3 hrs |
| 7-Jul-2026 | 9:00 AM / 2:00 PM | Art Paper 1 (9:00 AM); History, Business Studies, Physics Paper 1 (2:00 PM) | 3 hrs |
| 9-Jul-2026 | 9:00 AM / 2:00 PM | Art Paper 2 (9:00 AM); Economics, Biology Paper 1 (2:00 PM) | 3 hrs |
| 11-Jul-2026 | 2:00 PM | Biotechnology Paper 1, Accounts, Psychology, Political Science, Mass Media & Communication | 3 hrs |
| 14-Jul-2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 2 (Literature) | 3 hrs |
| 15-Jul-2026 | 2:00 PM | English – Paper 1 (Language) | 3 hrs |
| 17-Jul-2026 | 9:00 AM / 2:00 PM | Art Paper 4 (9:00 AM); Computer Science Paper 1, Physical Education, Fashion Designing Paper 1 (2:00 PM) | 3 hrs |
How to apply for improvement exams:
- Your school handles improvement exam registrations. Contact your examination in-charge.
- The board typically requires a registration form and fee; exact fee details are not published in the timetable release and should be confirmed with your school.
- Keep proof of payment and registration receipts.
Strategy if you plan improvements:
- Target the specific chapters where you lost marks.
- Practice full papers under timed conditions from the start.
- Use feedback from teachers and past mark-sheets to focus effort.
Admit card, LICR booklet and exam documentation
Your admit card is the key document on exam day. Verify every detail as soon as your school issues it.
Check these items on your admit card:
- Name spelling, Unique ID, Index Number and subject list.
- Exam centre address and reporting time.
- Any special instructions or exemptions.
If there is an error:
- Inform your school immediately and request a corrected admit card.
- Do not travel to the exam centre with a wrong admit card.
What to carry to the exam hall:
- Printed admit card, valid school ID, pens, pencils and a transparent water bottle.
- Leave calculators, mobile phones and other gadgets at home.
- If you need special assistance, contact your school well before the exam.
Coverage gaps & where to find official updates
Several useful details are not always included in public timetable pages. These gaps often require direct school or board clarification:
- Downloadable PDF preview and file size are not always shown.
- Official fee details and registration process for improvement exams may not be in the timetable notice; check with your school for exact fees.
- Re-evaluation, grace marks policy and stepwise rechecking procedures are not in the timetable file.
- Accessibility or special-needs provisions need to be requested through the school.
- A sample admit card image or CISCE helpline numbers are not provided in the timetable notification.
Where to check for updates:
- For final documents, always refer to the official CISCE website (cisce.org).
- Expect the improvement exam timetable around June 2026 and results between April–May 2026 (tentative) .
- Keep written records of school communications about practicals and admit card changes.
Useful tables and quick reference (printable)
Condensed printable timetable (quick glance):
| Date | Subject (example) | Time | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb 2026 | Psychology | 2:00 PM | 3 hrs |
| 13 Feb 2026 | English Paper 1 | 2:00 PM | 3 hrs |
| 23 Feb 2026 | Chemistry Paper 1 | 2:00 PM | 3 hrs |
| 9 Mar 2026 | Mathematics | 2:00 PM | 3 hrs |
| 16 Mar 2026 | Physics Paper 1 | 2:00 PM | 3 hrs |
| 6 Apr 2026 | Geography | 2:00 PM | 3 hrs |
Practical exam quick checklist:
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Reporting time | Reach 30 minutes before distribution (practicals: schools often start at 9:00 AM) |
| Materials | Bring only permitted tools specified by school |
| Identification | Carry admit card and a school ID |
| Questions | Read question paper at 8:45 AM if papers are distributed, start at 9:00 AM |
Improvement exam tentative dates (summary):
| Window | Tentative dates |
|---|---|
| Improvement exams 2026 | 1 Jul — 17 Jul 2026 (timetable likely released in June 2026) |
Final tips and last-minute reminders
Use the extra 15-minute reading time to pick your best questions and plan your answer order. A short written plan saves time during long answers.
Avoid banned items. Keep two pens and a spare ID in a sealed transparent pouch. Double-check admit card details a day before every exam.
Coordinate with your school for practicals and keep printed copies of any school circulars. Stay calm and stick to practice papers; consistency beats last-minute cramming.
Sources and further reading
- Official CISCE website: cisce.org for downloads, circulars and final results.
- Timetable release date: 13 November 2025 (official board release).
- Article updated on April 17, 2026 with timetable and tentative improvement window.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Where can I download the ISC Time Table 2026 PDF? A: Download the official PDF from the CISCE website (cisce.org). Look for the "ISC 12th Time Table 2026" link on the homepage.
Q: When were the ISC Class 12 exams held in 2026? A: The ISC Class 12 exams were conducted from 12 February 2026 to 6 April 2026 .
Q: How much reading time is given before the ISC papers? A: Students receive an additional 15 minutes reading time before the writing period.
Q: Are calculators and mobile phones allowed in the ISC exam hall? A: No. Calculators, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets are strictly banned.
Q: When will the ISC result 2026 be announced? A: The result was expected between April–May 2026 (tentative) . Final dates are posted on the CISCE website.
Q: When will the ISC improvement exam timetable be released? A: The improvement timetable is likely to be released in June 2026 , with tentative exam dates 1 July — 17 July 2026 .
Q: What must I write on the LICR answer booklet? A: Write your Unique ID , Index Number and Subject on the inner page of the LICR answer booklet exactly as on your admit card.
Q: How many students appear for ISC board exams each year? A: Over 90,000 students appear annually. In 2023-24, 99,901 candidates appeared and 98,088 passed.