The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) successfully conducted the Class 12 Physics exam today, February 20, 2026. With over 18 lakh students registered for the senior secondary exams this year, Physics remains one of the most crucial and highly anticipated subjects for science stream students. Soon after the exam ended, students and parents immediately began searching for the CBSE Class 12 Physics question paper and answer keys to calculate their expected scores. Here is a complete breakdown of the exam’s difficulty level, expert analysis, and important updates from the board.
What Happened: CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam 2026 Concludes
The Physics theory paper was held in a single morning shift across the country and at various international centers. The exam started exactly at 10:30 AM and concluded at 1:30 PM. The written theory paper carried a total of 70 marks, while the remaining 30 marks were already assessed through practical exams earlier this year. According to initial feedback from students coming out of the examination centers, the paper was well-balanced but slightly lengthy due to a few calculation-intensive numerical questions.
Key Details of the Question Paper Structure
The CBSE Class 12 Physics question paper closely followed the official sample paper pattern released earlier by the board. It featured 33 mandatory questions divided into five distinct sections. Section A included multiple-choice questions and assertion-reasoning items, which tested direct recall and quick logic. Section B and Section C contained short answer questions that evaluated a student’s conceptual understanding.
Section D consisted of case study-based questions, primarily focusing on real-world applications of topics like the Photoelectric effect and Galvanometers. Finally, Section E featured the long-answer questions carrying five marks each. This section heavily tested standard derivations from core units like Optics, Electrostatics, and Electromagnetic Induction.
Expert Analysis and Student Reactions
Teachers and subject matter experts have uniformly rated the overall difficulty of the 2026 Physics paper as moderate. While the paper was strictly aligned with the NCERT syllabus, it was not a simple test of memorization. Experts noted that students who had consistently practiced previous years’ question papers and mastered fundamental derivations would find it highly scoring.
Students had mixed reactions depending on their preparation levels. Many felt that the direct theory questions were quite easy to tackle, but the numerical problems in the middle sections took extra time to solve. A few students reported that time management became a challenge during the final hour, specifically when dealing with the multi-step derivations in Section E. However, most agreed that the paper was fair and devoid of any confusing twist questions.
Background and Context: High Weightage Topics
Just as educators had predicted during the revision phase, topics with high weightage played a major role in the 2026 Physics paper. Optics and Magnetic Effects were heavily tested. Standard derivations, such as those related to Gauss’s Law, semiconductor diodes, and lens formulas, were prominently featured.
Official Advisory on Fake Paper Leaks
In the background of the ongoing board exams, the CBSE issued an important official notice to students, parents, and schools. The board strongly warned everyone against believing rumors or fake news circulating on social media regarding question paper leaks. The CBSE confirmed that strict, robust measures are in place to ensure a smooth and highly secure examination process. The board clarified that any individuals caught spreading false information to disrupt the exams will face strict legal action.
What Happens Next: Answer Key and Upcoming Exams
Now that the Physics exam is over, students are eagerly looking for the official answer key. While the CBSE does not immediately release the official answer key to the public, various subject experts and prominent coaching institutes have started releasing their own unofficial solutions online. Students can use these answer keys to get a rough estimate of their final scores.
Read More : BPSC Exam Calendar 2026 Released
For Class 12 Science stream students, the focus now shifts to the next major core subject. Students have exactly a week to prepare for the Chemistry examination, which is scheduled to take place on February 28, 2026. This will be followed by Mathematics and Biology in the month of March.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Was the CBSE Class 12 Physics paper 2026 tough?
Most students and teachers rated the paper as moderately difficult. It was well-balanced and strictly followed the NCERT syllabus, though some numerical questions took slightly longer to calculate.
Where can I download the CBSE Class 12 Physics question paper 2026 PDF?
The official question paper PDF is usually uploaded on the CBSE academic website a few weeks after all exams conclude. However, many educational portals and coaching centers provide scanned copies and unofficial solutions shortly after the exam ends.
Did the Physics paper have any out-of-syllabus questions?
No. Subject experts confirmed that all 33 questions in the paper were from the prescribed CBSE syllabus and were heavily based on NCERT textbooks.
When will the official CBSE answer key be released?
CBSE shares the official marking scheme directly with evaluation centers to check the answer sheets. The board generally releases these marking schemes to the public on its official website only after the final board results are declared in May.
What is the passing mark for the Class 12 Physics exam?
Students need to score a minimum of 33 percent aggregate to pass. Since the written theory paper is out of 70 marks, a student must score at least 23 marks in the theory exam to clear the subject successfully.