The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued an important update for Class 12 students who received a compartment status in this year’s board results. The CBSE 12th Supplementary Date Sheet 2026 has been revised, and the compartment examination will now be held on 28 July 2026, instead of the previously announced date of 15 July.
This single-day exam gives students a second chance to clear a subject they could not pass in the regular board examination, without having to repeat the entire academic year. The CBSE Class 12 board exams for the 2025-26 session were conducted from 17 February to 10 April 2026, with a total of over 17.8 lakh registered candidates. When the board declared the main result on 13 May 2026, the overall pass percentage stood at 85.20%, meaning close to 2.7 lakh students did not clear all their subjects in the first attempt.
Students placed in the compartment category, along with certain other eligible categories, can appear in this supplementary exam to improve their academic standing. This article explains who is eligible, the revised exam date, passing criteria, and the process to download the date sheet and admit card, based on the latest CBSE notice.
CBSE 12th Supplementary Exam 2026: Short Details
The supplementary exam, commonly called the compartment exam, is conducted by CBSE for Class 12 students who failed to clear one or two subjects, or who wish to improve their score in a single subject after passing. Following a recent revision by the board, this year’s exam will take place on 28 July 2026 in a single shift for all applicable subjects. Students must obtain their admit card through their respective schools before the exam date.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Class 12 Board Exam Conducted | 17 February to 10 April 2026 |
| Class 12 Main Result Declared | 13 May 2026 |
| List of Candidates (LOC) Submission Start | 02 June 2026 |
| Supplementary Exam Date (Originally Announced) | 15 July 2026 |
| Supplementary Exam Date (Revised) | 28 July 2026 |
| Admit Card | Available through respective schools before the exam |
| Supplementary Result | To be announced on the official website |
Application Fee
| Candidate Type | Application Process |
|---|---|
| Regular Students | Application submitted through the respective school; fee as prescribed by CBSE for compartment candidates |
| Private Candidates | Application submitted directly on the official CBSE website; fee as prescribed by CBSE for private compartment candidates |
Students should check the official CBSE circular for the exact prescribed fee amount, since it may be revised from year to year.
Eligibility for the Supplementary Exam
| Category | Eligibility Condition |
|---|---|
| Compartment Candidates (2026 Batch) | Students who took the Class 12 board exam in 2026 and were placed in the compartment category |
| Improvement Candidates (2026 Batch) | Students who have already passed the Class 12 exam in 2026 but wish to improve their marks in one subject only |
| Compartment Candidates (2025 Batch) | Students from the 2025 examination who were placed in the compartment category and are using this exam as per their permitted number of attempts |
For many compartment candidates, especially those carrying forward their status from the previous year, this July 2026 exam may represent their final permitted attempt, since CBSE generally allows only a limited number of attempts to clear a compartment subject.
Passing Criteria
- Students need to score at least 33% marks separately in both the theory and practical components of the subject to pass.
- The supplementary exam follows the same syllabus and exam pattern as the original Class 12 board examination for that subject.
- Once a student clears the compartment subject, their original mark sheet is updated to reflect the pass status, allowing them to proceed with college admissions or employment without losing an academic year.
Exam Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Date | 28 July 2026 (Single Day) |
| Exam Timing | Generally 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, with some vocational and elective subjects running for a slightly longer duration |
| Streams Covered | Science, Commerce, and Arts |
| Number of Subjects Allowed | Up to two subjects, subject to CBSE’s compartment eligibility rules |
Documents Required
- Original Class 12 mark sheet showing the compartment status
- Admit card issued for the supplementary exam
- Valid school-issued or government-issued photo ID proof
- LOC (List of Candidates) confirmation from the school, for regular students
How to Check the CBSE 12th Supplementary Date Sheet 2026
- Visit the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in.
- Go to the “Latest @ CBSE” section on the homepage.
- Look for the notice titled “Date Sheet for Class XII Compartmental Board Examinations – 2026.”
- Click on the link to open the date sheet, which will display subject-wise exam dates and timings.
- Download and save the date sheet for future reference.
- Regular students should also confirm their exam date and subject details with their respective school.
- Private candidates should log in to their CBSE account to check and download their specific schedule.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| CBSE Official Website | Click Here |
| Activate DigiLocker Account (for Results/Marksheets) | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is the CBSE Class 12 Supplementary Exam 2026?
The revised date for the CBSE Class 12 supplementary (compartment) exam is 28 July 2026. It was earlier scheduled for 15 July 2026.
2. Who is eligible to appear for the CBSE 12th supplementary exam?
Students placed in the compartment category from the 2026 exam, students wishing to improve their marks in one subject after passing in 2026, and eligible compartment candidates carrying forward their status from 2025 can appear.
3. What is the passing criteria for the compartment exam?
Students need to score at least 33% marks separately in both theory and practical components of the subject to pass.
4. How can regular students apply for the compartment exam?
Regular students apply through their respective school, which handles the List of Candidates (LOC) submission process on their behalf.
5. How can private candidates apply for the compartment exam?
Private candidates can apply directly through the official CBSE website by following the compartment application process outlined there.
6. When did CBSE declare the Class 12 main result for 2026?
CBSE declared the Class 12 main result on 13 May 2026, with an overall pass percentage of 85.20%.
7. Where can I download the CBSE 12th Compartment Date Sheet 2026?
The date sheet can be downloaded from the official CBSE website under the “Latest @ CBSE” section.
8. Is this the last chance for 2025-batch compartment candidates?
For many students carrying forward compartment status from the 2025 batch, the July 2026 exam serves as their final permitted attempt, as per CBSE’s attempt limit rules.
9. Where can students collect their admit card for the compartment exam?
Students can collect their admit card through their respective schools before the exam date.
10. Does clearing the compartment exam update the original mark sheet?
Yes, once a student clears the compartment subject, their original Class 12 mark sheet is updated to reflect the pass status.