In a significant development for millions of students across the state, the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has officially announced the examination schedule for the upcoming SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date for the academic year 2025-26. This much-anticipated announcement provides clarity and allows students to structure their final preparation phase effectively.
The board has confirmed that the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Class 12 examinations will commence on February 10, 2026, while the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Class 10 exams will begin on February 20, 2026. This official confirmation of the SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date puts an end to speculation and allows educational institutions to plan their academic calendar accordingly .
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Official Exam Schedule: Theory and Practical Dates
The Maharashtra Board has released a comprehensive schedule that includes dates for both theoretical examinations and practical assessments. The detailed timeline is as follows:
| Class | Theory Exam Dates | Practical Exam Dates |
| HSC (Class 12) | February 10 to March 18, 2026 | January 23 to February 9, 2026 |
| SSC (Class 10) | February 20 to March 18, 2026 | February 2 to February 18, 2026 |
This structured approach ensures that both theoretical knowledge and practical skills are evaluated systematically. The strategic HSC Exam Date commencement in February gives students adequate time to prepare, while the SSC Exam Date follows shortly after .
For the HSC batch, practical examinations for vocational subjects, Information Technology (IT), and General Knowledge will be conducted from January 23 to February 9, 2026. SSC students will appear for their practicals in subjects such as Science (Anatomy, Physiology) and Home Science between February 2 and February 18, 2026 .
A Well-Planned Academic Calendar
The announcement of the SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date in October 2025 is a strategic move by the Maharashtra Board. Officials stated that this early notification is intended to help schools, junior colleges, and students plan their syllabus coverage, revision cycles, and mock tests more effectively, thereby reducing exam-related stress .
This proactive approach ensures that the entire academic ecosystem can function smoothly, with a clear deadline for syllabus completion. Knowing the exact HSC Exam Date and SSC Exam Date allows teachers to structure their lesson plans and revision schedules to maximize student preparedness .
Historically, the board has aimed to conduct the main theory papers in February to ensure the timely declaration of results, typically by May. This careful planning prevents delays in subsequent higher education admission cycles, giving students ample time to pursue their academic and career aspirations after receiving their results .
Key Details of the 2026 Examination Schedule
For HSC (Class 12) Students
The HSC Exam Date schedule confirms that written examinations will run from February 10 to March 18, 2026. The practical, oral, internal assessments, and grade evaluations will be held earlier, from January 23 to February 9, 2026 .
This timeline means that Class 12 students will complete their practical examinations before commencing their theoretical papers. The strategic scheduling of the HSC Exam Date ensures that students are not overwhelmed by simultaneous preparation for both practical and theoretical components.
For SSC (Class 10) Students
For Class 10 students, the wait for the SSC Exam Date is over, with the board confirming the theoretical examination window from February 20 to March 18, 2026. Practical assessments will be conducted from February 2 to February 18, 2026 .
This scheduling indicates that SSC students will have a brief overlap between their practical and theoretical examinations, requiring careful time management. However, the clear communication of the SSC Exam Date allows students and teachers to create a balanced preparation strategy.
Accessing the Official Timetable
The Maharashtra Board has communicated that the detailed subject-wise timetable, specifying the exact date and shift for each paper, will be published separately on the MSBSHSE’s official website, mahahsscboard.in, in the coming weeks .
Students can download the timetable by following these simple steps:
- Visit the official website: mahahsscboard.in
- On the homepage, navigate to the notification section
- Click on the link for the SSC or HSC board exam timetable 2026 PDF download
- View and save the PDF for future reference
- Take a printout for easy access during study planning
Besides the main website, students will also be able to check their date sheets and results on alternative official portals, including mahresult.nic.in, msbshse.co.in, and mh-ssc.ac.in .
Preparation Tips for Maharashtra Board Exams
With the SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date now officially confirmed, students can focus on structured preparation. Here are some expert-recommended strategies to excel in the upcoming board examinations:
1. Create a Realistic Study Schedule
Develop a comprehensive study plan that allocates sufficient time for each subject based on its difficulty level and your comfort with the material. Prioritize challenging topics while maintaining revision of stronger subjects. With the confirmed HSC Exam Date and SSC Exam Date, you can now create a day-wise preparation strategy leading up to the examinations .
2. Practice with Previous Years’ Question Papers
Solving past examination papers helps you understand the question pattern, marking scheme, and important topics. It significantly improves time management skills, which is crucial for completing the paper within the allocated time. As the SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date approach, regular practice with these papers will build confidence and identify areas needing improvement .
3. Focus on Practical Preparation
For both SSC and HSC students, practical examinations carry significant weightage. Complete your practical notebooks and projects well in advance of the practical HSC Exam Date and SSC Exam Date. Prepare for viva voce by revising key concepts and experiments thoroughly .
4. Maintain Physical and Mental Well-being
A healthy routine is crucial during exam preparation. Ensure adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and short breaks between study sessions to manage stress effectively. Remember that anxiety is normal, but with the clear timeline provided by the official SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date, you can avoid last-minute cramming .
5. Seek Guidance When Needed
Don’t hesitate to ask teachers or peers for help with challenging topics. Joining study groups can provide additional support, diverse perspectives, and motivation as the HSC Exam Date and SSC Exam Date approach .
Registration Details for 2026 Examinations
The board has already initiated the registration process for the 2026 examinations. For Class 10 (SSC), registration began on September 15, 2025, and will continue until October 6, 2025. For Class 12 (HSC), the registration window opened on October 1, 2025, and will close on October 20, 2025 .
Students are advised to ensure they are officially registered for the examinations through their respective schools to avoid any last-minute complications. The announcement of the SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date makes it imperative that all administrative formalities are completed within the stipulated deadlines.
Context from Previous Year Examinations
In the 2025 Maharashtra board examinations, HSC exams were conducted from February 11 to March 18, while SSC exams took place from February 21 to March 17. The results for the SSC Class 10 2025 exams were declared on May 13, with Sindhudurg district topping the state with an impressive pass rate of 99.32% .
A notable performance gap was observed in 2025, with girls outperforming boys by achieving a pass percentage of 96.14% compared to boys’ 92.31%, highlighting a significant difference of 3.83% .
Looking Ahead
The announcement of the SSC Exam Date and HSC Exam Date for 2026 sets the stage for the next academic milestone for Maharashtra’s students. The examinations will be conducted across the nine divisional boards of Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Amravati, Nashik, Kolhapur, Latur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Konkan .
As the educational community welcomes this clarity on the HSC Exam Date and SSC Exam Date, students are encouraged to begin their preparations in earnest, maintain a balanced approach to studies, and utilize the available resources effectively for optimal performance.
With the official confirmation of the SSC Exam Date starting February 20, 2026, and the HSC Exam Date commencing February 10, 2026, students now have a clear roadmap for the crucial months ahead. This early announcement reflects the board’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and helping them achieve success through proper planning and preparation.
*Students and parents are advised to regularly check the official MSBSHSE website for the detailed subject-wise timetable and any further updates regarding the 2026 board examinations.*
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on publicly available sources and official announcements from the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) as of the date of publication. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the Board’s official website (mahahsscboard.in) remains the sole authoritative source for the final and definitive timetable, any subsequent notifications, or amendments. This publication assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or changes to the schedule that may occur after publication.
