Pune : The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) commenced the Secondary School Certificate (SSC/Class 10) examinations today, February 20, 2026. More than 16.15 lakh students are appearing for the exams across 5,111 centres in the state. The exams, which began with First Language papers (Marathi, Hindi, Urdu and other regional languages) in the morning shift, will conclude on March 18, 2026.
Exams are being conducted in two shifts daily:
- Morning Shift: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Evening Shift: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Students have been advised to reach the examination centre at least 30 minutes before the start of their respective shift. It is mandatory to carry the Admit Card and School ID Card for entry; no exceptions will be made.
Passing Criteria
To pass the Maharashtra SSC exams, students must secure a minimum of 35% marks (Grade C or above) in each subject (both main and optional) as well as in the aggregate.
- Languages and Social Science subjects: Minimum 35 marks out of 100.
- Mathematics and Science (subjects with practical components): Minimum 52 marks out of 150 (combined theory + practical/internal assessment).
Each subject carries a total of 100 marks, with 20% from internal assessment/continuous comprehensive evaluation (CCA) and 80% from the final theory/practical exam.
Grace Marks / Condonation Rules
The board provides limited grace marks (condonation) to help students clear the exam:
- Students who fall short by 2 - 3 marks in one or more subjects (and have not sought exemptions) are eligible for condonation.
- Maximum grace per subject is generally 3 marks.
- Students appearing with exemptions receive automatic condonation of up to 13 marks in total (distributed proportionally across failed subjects, not exceeding 3 marks per subject).
- Grace marks are subject-specific and not available for technical/optional subjects in all cases.
Board officials have emphasised strict anti-cheating measures, including CCTV surveillance, flying squads, and helplines for student support.With the first papers underway today, students, parents, and teachers across Maharashtra are hoping for a smooth and fair conduct of the examinations. Results are expected to be declared in May - June 2026.
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