CBSE Notice to Schools for Board Exams 2026: LOC Submission, Two-Board Policy and Deadlines Explained

CBSE List of Candidates for board exams 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education has issued a comprehensive notice to all affiliated schools on the List of Candidates submission process for the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations 2026. This year’s instructions are particularly important because Class 10 will operate under the newly introduced two-board examination policy, and only students listed in the LOC will be permitted to sit the main and second board exams. Accurate data submission and timely fee payment are now critical administrative responsibilities for every principal and examination coordinator.

Key highlights include the LOC submission window, strict fee deadlines, the requirement to link APAAR IDs for students, special provisions and a dedicated portal for Children With Special Needs data, and the generation of a verification slip for limited corrections in October 2025. Schools must complete online submission and digital payment between August 29 and September 30, 2025, with late submissions accepted up to October 11, 2025 on payment of late fees. Foreign and newly affiliated schools have separate guidance to follow.

Detailed information and development of the LOC instructions

CBSE’s LOC notice sets several firm requirements. Schools must ensure that every student intended to sit the board exams is included in the LOC. For Class 10 the LOC must reflect provisions under the two-board policy. That means every Class 10 candidate who will appear in the compulsory February 2026 main examination must be included in the LOC, and details for the optional or second board exam in May 2026 must be entered as applicable.

Data elements required during LOC submission include:
• Student full name and name as per Aadhaar where available
• Date of birth and gender
• Subject codes and optional subjects accurately mapped to the correct code list
• Category and reservation details with supporting certificate metadata where applicable
• APAAR ID for each candidate to enable future verification and tracking
• Contact details for correspondence and exam day emergency reachability

CBSE has made it clear that once the LOC submission window and the limited correction window are over, requests for subject changes, category modification, or late sponsorship will not be entertained. The notice also reminds schools that only digital payments will be accepted for LOC-related fees and that fee deadlines will be strictly enforced.

How schools should submit LOC and avoid common errors

To ensure error-free LOC submissions, principals and exam coordinators should adopt the following checklist and workflow:

1. Register and verify the institution on the OASIS and HPE portals if not already done. New schools must complete this step before LOC upload.
2. Cross-check student academic records before entering subject codes. For elective and vocational subjects, verify that syllabi selected match the student’s practical training or school offerings.
3. Ensure APAAR IDs are linked for each candidate. If a student does not have an APAAR ID, follow CBSE instructions to obtain or link it well before the LOC deadline.
4. Verify category and reservation certificates with scanned references, and confirm that income, disability or minority documents match official formats.
5. Upload CWSN details through the dedicated portal where applicable, and attach required medical certificates or assessor reports.
6. Make digital fee payments only through the board’s specified gateways, and retain transaction receipts for audit.
7. Generate the LOC preview and cross-verify all entries at least twice. Use an independent staff member or the school management committee for a second check.
8. After submission, download and archive the acknowledgement. Monitor the CBSE dashboard for any system queries or rejections.

Common errors causing rejections include incorrect subject codes, mismatched names between school and Aadhaar, missing APAAR IDs, and incomplete reservation or disability documentation.

Data verification slip and limited correction window

CBSE will generate a data verification slip in October 2025 for each candidate. This slip allows limited corrections only. Schools should:
• Review the verification slip immediately after generation.
• Use the limited correction window to fix genuine clerical mistakes only. Major changes or category shifts will likely be disallowed.
• Keep detailed records of why a correction was made in case CBSE requests further clarification during audits.

The board has emphasised that the vice principal or principal will be accountable for final submissions. Any late or incorrect submissions that cannot be rectified within the correction window may lead to the student being declared ineligible to sit the exam.

Special provisions for Children With Special Needs

CBSE has introduced a dedicated CWSN portal for pre-LOC data upload. This separates CWSN data from the bulk LOC flow to ensure accurate identification of special needs and to request appropriate accommodations. Schools must:
• Upload medical certificates, disability assessment reports and relevant documentation before the LOC deadline.
• Specify the type of accommodation required in the exam such as scribe support, extra time, or assistive devices, as permitted by CBSE policy.
• Coordinate with parents to obtain consent forms and any functional assessment reports that support accommodation requests.

CBSE will use this pre-uploaded data to arrange for evaluators and exam support staff and to determine whether additional logistical arrangements are necessary at the allocated centres.

Orientation, communication and operational responsibilities

The notice asks principals to organise orientation sessions for students and parents. These sessions should cover:
• The two-board policy and what the February main exam and May second board exam each mean for students and parents.
• LOC submission deadlines and the consequences of missing the deadlines.
• Documentation required for category and accommodation claims.
• Fee payment process and receipt retention.
• The process to check the data verification slip and follow up for permitted corrections.

Schools are responsible for clear communication and should circulate step-by-step instructions, FAQ sheets and timelines to students and guardians. Maintaining a helpdesk schedule in the school for the LOC submission period will reduce last-minute errors.

Timeline and action points for schools

• August 29 to September 30, 2025: Normal LOC submission and digital fee payment window for schools in India.
• October 1 to October 11, 2025: Late submission period with late fee.
• October 2025: CBSE issues data verification slips for limited corrections. Complete any permitted corrections promptly.
• February 2026: Class 10 main board examination scheduled as compulsory.
• May 2026: Second board exam for Class 10 as per two-board policy schedule.

Schools should set internal deadlines at least one week prior to CBSE deadlines to allow time for rectification.

Accountability, audits and penalties

CBSE has warned that incorrect or incomplete submissions will not be accepted as a reason for post-deadline change requests. Principals and examination officers must ensure data integrity because CBSE will hold institutions responsible for errors. Repeated noncompliance or systemic mistakes may prompt further audits or stricter supervisory measures from the board.

Where to find official notices and help

All official circulars, step-by-step LOC upload instructions and portal links are available on the CBSE website. Use the board’s updated guidelines page for LOC and the CWSN portal reference section. Schools encountering technical problems should use the CBSE helpdesk channels listed in the official circular and retain correspondence records until the exam process completes.