CBSE issued fresh "CBSE question paper sharing guidelines 2026" that ban handing over or showing question papers to anyone and set strict rules for repacking and storage after distribution.
CBSE question paper sharing guidelines 2026: key rules
No question paper shall be handed over, shown, or given to any person under any circumstances. You — as a student, teacher, examiner or any other stakeholder — must maintain complete secrecy and integrity of the papers.
Question papers left after distribution must be repacked and kept safely once the examination has started. The board requires that the sum of question papers distributed and those repacked equals the total number supplied to the school.
Subject teachers must not be given question papers for observations. Schools are also not allowed to retain copies for the library, because the papers will be hosted online after the exams are over.
How Centre Superintendents must follow CBSE question paper sharing guidelines 2026
Centre Superintendents are directed to ensure full compliance and to brief their staff on these measures. If you work at an exam centre, follow the instructions closely and document the count of papers handed out and repacked.
Any violation of these instructions will be treated as a serious breach of examination confidentiality and will invite strict disciplinary action. The notice stresses exam integrity but does not list specific penalty amounts or suspension timelines.
Dates to note
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Article last updated | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Exam year referenced | 2026 |
What schools and invigilators must do
Repack leftover papers immediately after the exam starts and store them securely. Keep clear records showing that distributed + packed = total supplied.
Do not hand over papers to teachers for review or keep them in school libraries. Expect the board to publish the papers online after the examination cycle ends.
The notice does not give a timeline for hosting the papers online, nor does it detail the exact disciplinary steps for breaches. It also leaves out specific invigilator procedures and contact points for compliance queries.
FAQs
Q: Can students take question papers home after exam? A: No, question papers shall not be handed over or shown to any person.
Q: Can schools keep question papers in library? A: No, question papers will not be kept for library; they are hosted online later.
Q: What to do with unused or leftover papers? A: Repack leftover papers and keep them safely once the examination has started.
Q: Can subject teachers receive question papers for observations? A: No, question papers must not be given to subject teachers for observations.
Q: Who ensures compliance at examination centres? A: Centre Superintendents are directed to ensure compliance and brief staff.
Q: Are exact penalties listed for violations? A: The notice says violations invite strict disciplinary action but does not specify exact penalties.
Q: When will the papers be hosted online? A: The board's notice confirms online hosting after exams but does not provide a specific timeline.