UP Board Exam 2026 Schedule Announced: Practical Exams to Begin January 21

UP Board Exam 2026 Schedule Announced: Practical Exams to Begin January 21 Jul, 26 2025

UP Board Exam 2026: Dates, Deadlines, and What Students Need to Know

If you’re in Uttar Pradesh and planning to appear for the Class 10 or 12 board exams in 2026, mark your calendars now. The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has just dropped the full exam schedule, and it’s packed with crucial dates and process changes every student should know about.

The headline? UP Board Exam 2026 practicals for Class 12 will start on January 21, 2026, wrapping up by February 5, 2026. If you’re in Class 10 or 12, your theory papers will kick off towards the end of February, running from February 24 through March 12, 2026—so there's barely a break before the action starts.

Practical and Theory Exam Plans

For Class 12, the practical exams will take place at your own school this time, not at distant centers—which honestly takes some of the stress out of it. These practicals aren’t just a box to tick—out of your total marks, 30 come from practical exams for each relevant subject. If you’re studying technical subjects or following a vocational course, there’s no getting around them. Last year, the window for Class 10 practicals was right around these same dates, so expect a similar pattern for 2026.

Theory exam schedules for both classes will split the day into two: a morning shift from 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM, and an afternoon shift from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. Don’t expect an easy ride—major subjects like Hindi, Math, Science, and Social Science will be spaced out during this period. That gives you time to prep, but don’t slack off thinking you’ll get days to revise in between.

  • Class 10 Theory: February 24 to March 12, 2026
  • Class 12 Practical: January 21 to February 5, 2026
  • Class 12 Theory: Same window as Class 10 for theory—late February through mid-March

The full, subject-wise date sheet for the theory exams hasn’t dropped yet. Expect that to show up on the UPMSP’s official website in November 2025—definitely keep checking back so you don’t get caught out by any last-minute changes.

When it comes to passing, you’ve got a clear benchmark. Everyone has to hit at least 33% in each subject to make it through. If you miss that in even one paper, you’ll have to retake it. So, no room for slacking off in the weaker subjects.

All technical and vocational students, pay close attention—practicals are not optional for you. Play by the board’s rules about attendance, and don't try any shortcuts, since non-compliance can mean getting disqualified from the entire exam process. No one needs that kind of drama in their final year.

There’s also a bunch of registration deadlines to manage. Here’s a quick breakdown so you don’t miss anything important:

  • Registration deadline: August 5, 2025
  • Fee payment last day: August 10, 2025
  • Information verification period: August 21 to August 31, 2025
  • Online correction window: September 1 to September 10, 2025
  • Final candidate list locked: September 30, 2025

If you’re prone to leaving things to the last minute, try to kick that habit this year. The board has a history of being strict with deadlines, and late registration requests don’t tend to get much sympathy.

With the UP Board moving forward on digital updates and stricter timelines, staying organized is your best defense. Download reminders, keep copies of your registration forms, and double-check all details during the verification window.

The 2026 board exam cycle is a major milestone for students in Uttar Pradesh. The schedule is tight, but clear—and there’s now a lot less guesswork for anyone aiming to ace these crucial exams in the coming year.