The Central Board of Secondary Education held the Class 10 Mathematics examination on February 17, 2026, offering both Standard and Basic versions of the paper. Initial feedback from students and educators suggests a clear contrast in the difficulty levels of the two formats. Many described the Standard paper as reasonably structured and manageable within the given time. In contrast, the Basic paper was widely viewed as lengthy and more demanding.

Dr. Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, indicated that while the Standard version maintained a balanced structure, the Basic paper appeared more time-consuming, particularly due to graph-related problems that required extra attention.

Teachers from various institutions across the country also shared their assessments. Manpreet Kaur, a Mathematics teacher at Global Indian International School, explained that the exam largely followed the prescribed board pattern and ranged from easy to moderate in difficulty. She observed that most questions were concept-driven and direct, though a few from topics such as Triangles and Probability required deeper thinking. Effective time allocation, she noted, was crucial for students aiming to complete the paper confidently.

Another faculty member from the same institution, Suneeti Sharma, described the exam as moderate overall, with certain portions being relatively straightforward. She highlighted that case-study and application-oriented questions, especially from Trigonometry, demanded careful analysis. Students who had thoroughly practised examples from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks reportedly found the questions approachable.

Educators from JAIN International Residential School in Bengaluru characterised the paper as moderately challenging and largely aligned with NCERT content. While short-answer and multiple-choice questions were considered accessible, longer-answer and case-based sections required detailed reading, logical reasoning, and efficient time management.

Shaifali Bhatt, Head of the Mathematics Department at Delhi Public School Sector 45, stated that both versions of the exam adhered closely to the NCERT syllabus. According to her, the papers were thoughtfully designed to assess understanding and application of concepts without introducing unexpected content.

Students’ reactions were varied. Abhhisek Sen, a Class 10 candidate, felt that his set of the Basic paper was particularly lengthy and challenging. He expressed the view that the difficulty level did not align with expectations for the Basic format and suggested that the board reconsider conducting the examination again with an appropriate level of complexity.

Sanjay Sharma, a teacher from Yamuna Vihar, remarked that the Basic paper required extensive calculations, whereas the Standard paper focused more on conceptual clarity without being overly time-intensive.

Focus on Competency-Based Questions

A notable feature of this year’s examination was the emphasis on competency-based items. Teachers observed that these questions required students to apply mathematical principles to practical situations rather than depend on memorised steps. According to PGT Mathematics teacher Abhishek Mehra, the inclusion of such questions reflects the board’s shift toward evaluating analytical and real-world problem-solving skills.

Several word problems and case-study tasks required stepwise reasoning. Students who had practised exemplar and application-based exercises were reportedly better equipped to handle these sections.

Areas That Posed Difficulty

Early feedback indicated that certain questions from the Circles chapter in the Basic paper were conceptually demanding. Some students admitted that they needed to reread these questions carefully before attempting solutions.

Additionally, a portion of the multiple-choice section was described as time-consuming due to detailed calculations. Although not necessarily complex, these questions required precision and slowed down some candidates. A student from Mumbai noted that one of the later sections felt particularly challenging, and that several students appeared anxious after leaving the examination hall.

Overall Impression

As Mathematics marked one of the key examinations in the board schedule, many students expressed relief upon completion and are now focusing on upcoming subjects. Overall, the 2026 Class 10 Maths paper conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education has been described as moderately difficult, combining straightforward problems with application-oriented tasks.

While the Standard paper was generally regarded as fair and accessible, the Basic paper presented greater challenges for many candidates. The inclusion of competency-based and analytical questions underscored the board’s emphasis on conceptual clarity and time management. Both educators and students continue to review the papers closely as the examination season progresses.