CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 Paper Rated Moderate

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 12 Physics board examination on February 20, 2026. The exam was held from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm at centres across India and abroad.

The Physics theory paper carried 70 marks and followed the latest CBSE exam pattern. Lakhs of Science stream students appeared for the paper, which is considered crucial for those preparing for engineering and other competitive entrance exams.

Paper Pattern and Structure

The question paper included multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, case-study based questions and long descriptive questions of up to five marks. Internal choices were provided in several sections.

According to early feedback from teachers and students, the paper strictly followed the prescribed syllabus. No out-of-syllabus questions were reported. The structure closely matched the official sample paper released by CBSE, which helped students who had practised previous years’ papers and NCERT examples.

Difficulty Level and Student Feedback

Initial reactions suggest that the paper was moderate in difficulty but strongly focused on concepts. Many students said that numerical questions required careful calculations and clear understanding of fundamentals.

Key topics that reportedly carried significant weightage included electrostatics, current electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, optics and modern physics.

While most students found the multiple-choice questions manageable, some long-answer numerical problems were described as lengthy and time-consuming. Case-study questions were considered doable by students who had revised derivations and examples thoroughly.

Arnav Tyagi, a student of Jaypee Public School, Greater Noida, described his set of the paper as moderate to slightly difficult. He noted that discussions with peers suggested a similar level of difficulty across different sets.

Teachers who reviewed the paper termed it balanced and fair. Subject experts said the exam tested conceptual clarity rather than rote memorisation.

Answer Key and Evaluation

Unofficial answer keys for various sets have started appearing on educational platforms shortly after the exam. These provisional solutions are helping students estimate their probable scores.

However, students are advised to verify answers carefully and rely on trusted academic sources. CBSE does not release official answer keys immediately for theory papers.

The evaluation process is expected to begin soon, following the board’s standard procedures.

Passing Criteria

As per CBSE guidelines, students must secure a minimum of 33 per cent marks in Physics to pass. This includes both theory and practical components combined.

The subject carries 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practical examination.

What’s Next

With the Physics exam now completed, students will shift their focus to upcoming board papers. Detailed paper analyses and expert reviews are expected to provide clearer insights into performance trends and possible score ranges in the coming days.

For official updates, students are advised to follow only verified CBSE channels.