The CBSE Class 10th English Answer Key 2026 helps students compare their responses with correct solutions after the English board exam held by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on February 21, 2026, allowing them to estimate probable marks before official results are announced.
CBSE Class 10th English Answer Key 2026
The answer key serves as a reference tool for students to match their answers, assess performance across sections (Reading, Writing & Grammar, Literature), and gauge expected scores. This is especially useful for a subjective paper like English, where self-evaluation provides insight into strengths and areas for improvement.
When Was the CBSE Class 10th English Answer Key 2026 Released?
The CBSE Class 10 English exam occurred on February 21, 2026. Unofficial answer keys from coaching institutes and educational platforms are typically released on the same day or within hours after the exam ends (around 1:30 PM), often as PDFs or video explanations.
Official CBSE answer keys (if released for Class 10) usually appear on cbse.gov.in or cbseacademic.nic.in only after all exams conclude in March 2026. Many students rely on trusted unofficial sources since CBSE does not always release subject-wise official keys for Class 10 English every year.
Unofficial answer keys and solutions from reliable sources (such as Jagran Josh, Adda247, Physics Wallah, and others) are widely available shortly after the exam ends at 1:30 PM on February 21, 2026. These provide section-wise detailed responses and help with quick analysis.
CBSE Class 10th English Answer Key 2026 (Unofficial Solutions)
Here is a compiled reference to the unofficial solutions for the CBSE Class 10 English paper conducted on February 21, 2026 (based on expert analysis and common responses shared across educational platforms).
Note: These are unofficial and may vary slightly; use them for estimation only, cross-referencing with your question paper set/code and the official marking scheme.
SECTION - A (Reading)
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Q1 (i): The phrase refers to India’s forests, as they regulate temperatures and help keep the air clean, similar to how lungs function for the body.
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Q1 (ii): (a) balancing climate change and creating livelihoods for people.
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Q1 (iii): Textual evidence includes forests providing water conservation, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration, which are essential for combating climate change.
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Q1 (iv): (C) Forest cover is rapidly declining.
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Q1 (v): (a) Rapid urbanization has led to widespread deforestation depriving flora and fauna of its natural habitat.
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Q1 (vi): True. Paragraph 4 states that forest loss exacerbates erratic rainfall.
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Q1 (vii): Critics argue that projects may involve planting monoculture species that disrupt ecosystems rather than restore natural biodiversity.
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Q1 (viii): These models ensure both the livelihoods of the local people and the health of forest ecosystems by making communities custodians.
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Q2 (ii): (A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
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Q2 (iv): ...because it lowers noise pollution in urban areas.
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Q2 (vi): Range anxiety refers to the fear of running out of charge or concerns about the distance an EV can travel on a single charge.
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Q2 (vii): Two-wheelers dominated EV sales in India in 2023.
Section B: Grammar
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3(i): (B) will have been working.
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3(ii): Error: Being checked | Correction: Having checked.
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3(iii): The salesman confirmed that he had done so and (that) he had also handed over the keys to the night supervisor.
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3(iv): (B) All.
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3(v): Isha told her parents that her mentor would always guide her, even after that programme ended.
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3(vi): Error: less | Correction: fewer.
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3(vii): (B) had collected.
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3(viii): (D) must.
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3(ix): The customer asked whether/if they had double-checked the address before dispatching the washing machine.
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3(x): (C) would have avoided.
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3(xi): (C) has.
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3(xii): The speaker told the ministers that he felt reassured after hearing their opinions.
Section C (Literature)
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6 A(i): (C) surprised and disappointed
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6 A(ii): The hotel’s gloomy atmosphere and musty corridors made Fowler feel let down, as they did not match the romantic setting he had imagined for a secret agent.
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6 A(iii): observant
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6 A(iv): Ausable defies the typical spy image because he is "fat, very fat," lives in a small, unromantic room in a gloomy hotel, and maintains an American accent despite living in Paris.
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6 B(i): (B) representative and free society
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6 B(ii): The statement shows Mandela's absolute devotion, as he considers the ideal of a free society so essential that he is prepared to die to achieve harmony and equal opportunities for all.
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6 B(iii): fight
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6 B(iv): (C) passion
Creative Writing Skills (Section B - Questions 4 & 5): Responses are subjective and evaluated based on content, format, coherence, grammar, and relevance as per the marking scheme. (All details in writing tasks are imaginary for assessment.)
Getting the CBSE Class 10th English Answer Key for 2026 right after the exam is incredibly helpful, it's like having the correct reference immediately. Use it to review your performance honestly, identify correct solutions, and pinpoint topics needing more practice. This boosts confidence for upcoming exams and overall preparation.
CBSE Class 10 English 2026 Overview
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the Class 10 English board exam nationally in offline pen-and-paper mode. The exam duration is 3 hours (10:30 AM–1:30 PM), covering Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Literature sections as per the latest syllabus.
CBSE Class 10 English Exam Date 2026
- The CBSE Class 10 English board exam 2026 was held on 21 February 2026, as per the revised CBSE Class 10 date sheet. Class 10 exams generally run from mid-February to early March 2026.
CBSE Class 10 English Question Paper Pattern 2026 (Short Overview)
The paper follows the standard CBSE pattern with sections:
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Reading Skills (~20 marks): Passage-based questions.
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Writing & Grammar (~20-30 marks): Tasks like letters, paragraphs, and grammar exercises.
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Literature (~30-40 marks): Extract-based, short, and long answers from prescribed textbooks (First Flight & Footprints Without Feet).
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Understanding this helps when using the answer key for accurate marking.
How to Download CBSE Class 10th English Answer Key 2026
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Visit cbse.gov.in or cbseacademic.nic.in.
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Navigate to the “Examinations” or “Academic” section and look for answer keys or marking schemes.
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Find the Class 10 English 2026 link (if available).
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Download the PDF for your set.
How to Calculate Expected Marks Using CBSE Class 10 English Answer Key 2026
Keep your question paper ready:
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Compare each response with the answer key.
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Award marks per question weightage (1-6 marks).
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No negative marking in CBSE Class 10.
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Sum section-wise for the total estimate.
This is approximate; subjective answers may get partial credit at the examiner's discretion.
How to Use the CBSE Class 10th English Answer Key
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Match your set code and compare answers.
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Award full marks for correct responses per the scheme (no negative marking in Class 10 English).
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Total theory marks out of 80, then add internal assessment (out of 20) for a score out of 100.
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Example: If you score 60/80 in theory + 17/20 internal = 77/100 (well above the 33% passing mark).
Differences Between Official and Unofficial Answer Keys
| Aspect | Official Answer Key (if released) | Unofficial Answer Key (Coaching/Portals) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | CBSE via cbse.gov.in / cbseacademic.nic.in | Coaching institutes, teachers, ed-tech sites |
| Reliability | Highest – aligns with board marking scheme | Generally reliable; minor variations possible in subjective parts |
| Availability | After all exams (mid-March 2026 or later) | Same day or soon after exam |
| Use | For official reference/challenges (if allowed) | Self-assessment only |
| Detail | Concise marking scheme | Detailed explanations, videos, tips |
CBSE Class 10 English Marking Scheme 2026
Question Paper Structure and Weightage
- Follows CBSE pattern: Reading (comprehension), Writing/Grammar (creative/format-based), Literature (text-based). Refer to official sample papers/marking schemes on cbseacademic.nic.in.
How Examiners Award Marks in English
- Step-wise for content, coherence, accuracy, format. Credit given for relevant, correct ideas even if not identical to model answers.
CBSE Class 10th English Exam Analysis 2026
The paper was generally considered easy to moderate and NCERT-based, per student and expert feedback.
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Reading: Passages were straightforward; inference questions manageable.
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Writing & Grammar: Formats aligned with patterns; grammar items fair.
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Literature: Balanced direct and analytical questions.
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Common mistakes included incomplete formats in writing and missing keywords in literature. A good attempt (safe score) typically ranged high due to the approachable difficulty.
