GENERAL

CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis & Answer Key – Paper Review, Difficulty Level, Student Reactions

LS
Lakshmi Singh • 5 Mins read • 20 Feb 26
CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis & Answer KeyCBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis & Answer Key

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) concluded CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 at 1:30 PM on 20 February 2026. It is the fourth day of CBSE Board exam 2026 schedule. CBSE 12 Physics exam 2026 was held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM in a single shift. 

As the students stepped out of the exam hall, their feedback on the CBSE Physics paper started surfacing online from educators and coaching institutes. 

Why do students become anxious when it comes to CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 analysis? Because Physics is considered one of the most challenging papers in the Boards. So the stress around it is so real. 

Recently, the board has revised CBSE Board exam 2026 schedule


☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


As we look at the CBSE Board Exams 2026 Live Updates, class 12 CBSE physics paper analysis 2026 was rated moderate to tough. Many teachers said that the Physics paper required a strong focus on conceptual clarity. Numerical application was deeply tested.


Major Change in CBSE Class 12 Exam: CBSE to implement on-screen marking for Class 12 board exam evaluations starting with the 2026 results


Students can now check the CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis and: 

  • CBSE Class 12 Physics Answer Key 2026 
  • Unofficial solutions released by subject experts and coaching institutes. 


Though we must make clear that CBSE does not release an official answer key for Class 12 Physics.

Students must read: CBSE Releases 2026 Class 10 and 12 Admit Cards


CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026: Overview

CBSE Board Exams 2026 began on 17 February. The prediction says that around 18.5 lakh students will appear for Class 12 exams. Let’s take a quick highlight first:

Particulars

Details

Exam Name

CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026

Date

February 20, 2026

Timing

10:30 AM-1:30 PM

Difficulty Level

Moderate to Slightly Challenging

Official CBSE 12 Physics Answer Key

Not Released by CBSE

Unofficial Answer Key

Available for Sets 1, 2, 3


Also Read: Cambridge University Plans to Accept CBSE Class 12 Qualification


CBSE Class 12 Physics Paper Pattern 2026

The CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper 2026 latest exam pattern:

Section

Question Type

No. of Questions

Marks per Question

Total Marks

Section A

MCQs & Assertion–Reason Questions

16

1

16

Section B

Very Short Answer (VSA)

5

2

10

Section C

Short Answer (SA)

7

3

21

Section D

Case Study-Based Questions

2

4

8

Section E

Long Answer (LA)

3

5

15

Total


33 Questions


70 Marks


CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026: Student Reactions

CBSE Board Exams 2026 Live Updates indicate that CBSE Class 12th Physics paper was lengthy. But it could be managed.


What Students Said About CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026

  • Paper looked tough but not too hard. 
  • Doable paper. 
  • Just a few questions took extra time.
  • Paper was moderate.
  • Section A was smooth. 
  • Sections B and C had slightly challenging numericals.

A number of students nodded to the fact that the Physics theory was straightforward. Numerical questions took more time. The overall difficulty level stood at moderate to tough. 


☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026: Expert Analysis

Teachers and subject experts also shared insights in CBSE Board Exams 2026 live updates. They said that the paper was balanced.


CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026 Section-Wise Analysis

The paper is divided into 5 sections. The difficulty level and time taken varied. 


Section A (MCQs and Assertion-Reason)

  • Direct questions
  • Concept-based
  • Semiconductor electronics and nuclei questions: straightforward
  • Multi-step calculations: demanded clarity.


Section B (2 Marks)

  • Moderate difficulty
  • Nuclei, Dual Nature, Wave Optics questions
  • Numerical-based threshold frequency questions
  • Circuit questions


Section C (3 Marks)

  • Concept-heavy
  • Prism, drift velocity, torque on coil
  • Deuteron and alpha particle: comparative questions


Section D (Case Study)

  • Capacitors and moving charges
  • Semiconductor case study: easy
  • Ray optics case study: complicated


Section E (5 Marks)

  • Detailed derivations
  • Optics, Electrostatics, Modern Physics
  • Time management was needed


Overall Insights:

  • Paper adhered strictly to NCERT 
  • Competency-based guidelines
  • Students with a strong grip on strong fundamentals got the edge


Highlights from CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Answer Key (Unofficial)

Below are selected answers from the expert-prepared unofficial answer key:

Question

Section

Set Code

Correct Answer

Electric Field Angle (V = 10x² – 2y²)

Section A

QP 55/1/3

45 degrees

Unbiased p-n Junction

Section A

QP 55/1/3

Diffusion and drift currents are equal and opposite

EM Wave in Dielectric

Section A

QP 55/1/3

Wavelength halved, frequency unchanged

Photoelectric Effect Intensity

Section A

QP 55/4/2

Max kinetic energy remains same

AC Voltage v = 14sin(314t)

Section A

QP 55/4/2

0 and 10

Reverse-biased Diode

Section A

QP 55/4/2

Depletion region

De Broglie Wavelength

Section A

QP 55/4/2

Decrease by 50%

Paschen Series

Section A

QP 55/4/2

Infrared region

Current in Conductor

Section A

QP 55/4/2

Drift velocity only

Note: Students should know that these are unofficial answers. CBSE does not release CBSE Class 12 Physics Answer Key 2026.


Courtesy: Physics Wallah

CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis


CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis


CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis


CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis: Time Pressure and Paper Length

Students’ and experts’ feedback highlight the following points:

  • The Physics paper was calculation-intensive.
  • Case-study and long-answer questions were lengthy.
  • Time management was the biggest challenge.
  • MCQs were more numerical than students expected.
  • Paper came from the syllabus.


CBSE Board Exams 2026 Live: Broader Exam Context

Take a look at the following data:

Particulars

Details

Total Students Appearing (Classes 10 & 12)

Over 43 lakh

Total Class 12 Students

18.5 lakh

Number of Examination Centres (Class 12)

7,574 centres

Total Subjects Conducted (Class 12)

120 subjects

Last Date of Class 12 Exams

April 10


Class 12 CBSE Physics Paper Analysis 2026: Final Verdict

CBSE 12th Physics Exam 2026 Analysis and Answer Key indicates a moderate-level paper.  Conceptual understanding and numerical skills were demanded.

The exam was:

  • Balanced
  • NCERT-aligned
  • Slightly time-consuming
  • Fair in scope

CBSE Board Exams 2026 live updates and analysis will be updated here if any other announcement comes.


☎️ Talk to an Expert Counsellor — FREE Call ☎️


Frequently Asked Questions


Ques: How was the CBSE Physics class 12 exam 2026?

Ans: CBSE Physics paper 2026 was rated moderate to tough. The foundations were asked and paper was calculation-heavy. The questions came from the syllabus only. The paper was lengthy but manageable. 


Ques: Is the CBSE Physics exam tough in 2026?

Ans: If we look at experts’ feedback, the Physics paper was tricky but doable. Students said that the paper had application-based numericals and multi-step calculations were included. The overall paper was from NCERT and manageable. 


Ques: Is CBSE Class 12 Physics Paper 2026 very hard?

Ans: No. Feedback do not say so. The paper fell in the moderate category. The paper was lengthy but not out of the syllabus. Students who have a strong understanding of foundations obviously have an edge here. 


Ques: Will CBSE release the CBSE class 12 Physics answer key 2026?

Ans: No. CBSE do not release the official answer key of board exams. If you want detailed solutions of the paper, refer to trusted third parties. Several coaching institutes cover the CBSE class 12 Physics exam analysis extensively.