The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has officially released the time table for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Class 12 exams for 2026. As the exams are just around the corner, here is everything students and parents need to know to navigate the final stretch with confidence.
Maharashtra HSC 2026: Important Dates
The written theory exams are scheduled to take place from February 10 to March 11, 2026. Practical and oral exams were conducted earlier in the window of January 23 to February 9, 2026.
Detailed Subject-Wise Time Table (General Streams)
The exams are conducted in two shifts: Morning (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM) and Afternoon (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM).
| Morning shift (11 am to 2 pm) | Afternoon shift (3 pm to 6 pm) | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| English | – | 10-Feb-2026 |
| Hindi | German, Japanese, Chinese, Persian | 11-Feb-2026 |
| Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Sindhi (Arabic/Devnagri), Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Bengali | Urdu, French, Spanish, Pali | 12-Feb-2026 |
| Maharashtra Prakrut, Sanskrit | Ardhamagadhi, Russian, Arabic | 13-Feb-2026 |
| Organisation of commerce and management | – | 14-Feb-2026 |
| Logic, Physics | – | 16-Feb-2026 |
| Secretarial practice, Home management | 17-Feb-2026 | |
| Chemistry | Political science | 18-Feb-2026 |
| Mathematics and statistics | Percussion instruments | 21-Feb-2026 |
| Child development, agricultural science and technology, animal science and technology | – | 23-Feb-2026 |
| Economics | – | 24-Feb-2026 |
| Biology, History and development of Indian music | – | 25-Feb-2026 |
| Book keeping and accountancy Geology | Textiles | 26-Feb-2026 |
| Geology | Co-operation | 27-Feb-2026 |
| Food science and technology | Philosophy, history of art and appreciation | 28-Feb-2026 |
| Defence studies | – | 2-Mar-2026 |
| – | Psychology | 4-Mar-2026 |
| Commerce group paper-1, banking, office management, marketing and salesmanship, small industries and self employment, agriculture, fishery | Liberary and information science | 6-Mar-2026 |
| – | Geography | 7-Mar-2026 |
| – | History | 9-Mar-2026 |
| Commerce group paper-2, banking, office management, marketing and salesmanship, small industries and self employment, agriculture, fishery | – | 10-Mar-2026 |
| – | Sociology | 11-Mar-2026 |
Note: Students should verify their specific subject codes and shift timings on their official Hall Ticket, as some vocational or minor subjects may vary.
Preparation Update: 4-Week Strategy
With the “Big One” approaching, your study style must shift from “learning” to “executing.”
1. Master the “Prashna Pedhi” (Question Bank)
The SCERT Maharashtra releases official question banks. Ensure you have solved these, as they often mirror the difficulty level and question types of the actual board paper.
2. The Power of Diagrams and Presentation
In subjects like Biology and Physics, a neat diagram can be the difference between a 3 and a 4-mark score.
- Rule: Always use a sharp pencil for diagrams and label only on the right-hand side using a ruler.
- Structure: Write long answers in bullet points with bold sub-headings rather than long, dense paragraphs.
3. Focus on High-Weightage Chapters
Don’t get stuck on a 2-mark chapter for three days. Prioritize:
- Science: Calculus (Maths), Thermodynamics & Optics (Physics), P-Block elements (Chemistry).
- Commerce: Partnership Final Accounts, Bill of Exchange, National Income (Economics).
- Arts: Post-Independence India (History), Indian Society (Sociology).
A Message for Parents: The Support System
The “Board Exam” is often as stressful for parents as it is for students. Here is how you can help:
- Environment over Monitoring: Instead of asking “How much have you finished?”, ensure they have a quiet, well-lit space and timely, light meals.
- Sleep is Non-Negotiable: The brain requires at least 7 hours of sleep to move information from short-term to long-term memory. Discourage “all-nighters” right before the exam.
- Watch for Signs of Burnout: If your child is unusually irritable or losing appetite, encourage a 20-minute walk or a complete break from books.
Last-Minute Checklist
- Hall Ticket: Keep 2 photocopies (one at home, one in the bag).
- Stationery: Use the same brand of pen you’ve been practicing with to maintain writing speed.
- Reach Early: Aim to reach the center 30-45 minutes before the bell.