The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has activated the portal for the CBSE 2026 admit card for Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. With the exams beginning on February 17, 2026, this digital release marks an important milestone for nearly 35 lakh students across India and abroad preparing for one of the biggest academic assessments of their school lives.
But unlike some other exams, students won’t see a direct “Download” button on the portal. The process to get the admit card follows a specific distribution method that every student and parent should understand.
Quick Snapshot: CBSE Board Exam 2026 Hall Ticket
| Exam Authority | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Classes | Class 10 (Secondary) & Class 12 (Senior Secondary) |
| Exam Start Date | February 17, 2026 |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
| Admit Card Status | Released |
How Schools Can Download CBSE Admit Card 2026
Schools need to follow these steps to access and issue admit cards to students:
- Go to the official CBSE website cbse.gov.in
- Click on the Pariksha Sangam section on the homepage
3) Click On Continue
4) Click On Schools
5) Open the Pre-Exam Activities option
6) Choose the link for Admit Card / Exam Centre 2026
7) Log in using the school’s User ID, password, and captcha
8) Download the admit card file from the dashboard
9) Check all student details carefully
10) Print each admit card, then sign and stamp it before giving it to students
Only admit cards that carry the principal’s signature and school seal will be accepted at the examination centre.
Who Can Actually Download the Admit Card?
CBSE is handling admit card distribution differently this year. Here’s how it works for different candidate categories:
Regular Students – Regular students and parents cannot download the admit card directly from the student login page.
The download rights are limited to:
- School Principals
- Authorized school administrators
These officials use their credentials to log into the Pariksha Sangam portal and download the hall tickets for all enrolled students in one go.
This system ensures central control and accuracy before the admit cards reach students.
Private Candidates
Private candidates usually have a separate option on the CBSE website where they can:
- Enter their application number
- Or previous roll number
to generate their individual hall ticket.
This direct access is available because private candidates aren’t tied to a school account on the portal.
The Admit Card Distribution Journey
Getting your admit card is a multi-step process. It’s not enough that the board released it online — it must go through verification on the ground:
1. School Download
Schools with registered students download a bulk file containing the hall tickets from the official CBSE portal.
2. Verification and Stamp
Each admit card must be:
- Signed by the School Principal
- Sealed with the Official School Stamp
Without both the signature and seal, the admit card will not be considered valid at the exam center.
3. Physical Handover to Students
Once verified, schools distribute the admit cards to students in person. This also gives teachers a chance to explain key instructions and exam day protocols.
What Students Must Check on Their Admit Cards
Once you receive your hall ticket, a quick check can save a lot of trouble later. Make sure the following are correct:
- Subject Codes: Especially for elective subjects like Computer Science or AI. Errors here can prevent you from sitting in the right exams.
- Center Address: Visit or note the exam center location a day early to avoid confusion on exam day.
- Principal’s Signature & Stamp: It must be clear and authentic. Blur or missing signatures can be a problem.
Important Exam Dates & Structure
- Start of Exams: February 17, 2026
- For Class 10, CBSE has introduced a dual exam option this year:
- Main phase: Starting February 17
- Optional second phase: Scheduled for May–June 2026
- For Class 12, exams start the same day and continue until April 10, 2026.
These dates are important for planning revision, exam preparation, travel, and identifying the correct center location ahead of time.
Expert Tip for Students
Once all details are verified and the admit card has the correct name, photo, signature, and stamp — consider laminating it. This protects the document from damage and ensures it remains intact throughout the exams, since the admit card is the only official entry document allowed inside the exam hall.
Start Your CUET 2026 & 12th Board Prep Now!