The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced important changes for the Class 10 Science and Social Science board examinations for 2026. These updates aim to reduce common mistakes students make during exams, especially mixing answers from different subjects in the same section of the answer sheet.
Clear Section-Wise Format Introduced
For better organization and fair evaluation, CBSE will now strictly divide the answer sheets into dedicated sections. Students must write answers only in the section meant for that subject part.
New format for Science paper:
- Section A – Biology
- Section B – Chemistry
- Section C – Physics
New format for Social Science paper:
- Section A – History
- Section B – Geography
- Section C – Political Science
- Section D – Economics
Students must divide their answer sheets accordingly before writing. For example, a Physics answer must be placed only in the Physics section — not in Biology or Chemistry.
Zero Marks If Answers Are Written in the Wrong Section
CBSE has clearly stated that answers written in the incorrect section will receive zero marks, even if the content is correct.
- Answers found outside their designated sections will not be evaluated.
- This mistake cannot be corrected during rechecking or revaluation.
This strict rule has been introduced because many students previously lost marks by mixing up sections, causing confusion during evaluation.
Schools Asked to Train Students
CBSE has instructed schools to ensure that students practice section-wise answer writing during classroom tests, periodic exams, and pre-boards. This will help students become comfortable with the new structure before the final exam.
Sample Papers Updated
To support students, CBSE has also released sample question papers following the new sectional pattern. These will help students understand how to divide their answer sheets properly and respond in the expected format.