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New Practical Exam Guidelines Released by CBSE

CBSE Board Exam 2026: New Practical Exam Guidelines Announced for Classes 10 and 12

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has unveiled revised guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for practical examinations for students enrolled in the CBSE Board Exam 2026 for both Class 10 and Class 12. The board has confirmed modifications concerning practical exam schedules, marking criteria, examiner roles, and the procedure for submitting marks. It is crucial for students, educators, and school administrators to familiarize themselves with these updated regulations to prevent any issues during the exam period.

These adjustments are designed to enhance transparency, ensure systematic evaluations, and standardize the practical examination process across schools throughout the country.

Practical Exam Schedule for CBSE Board 2026 Practical Exam Schedule for CBSE Board 2026

CBSE has set distinct timelines for winter-bound schools and those following the regular academic calendar:

• Winter-bound schools: Practical exams will take place from November 6 to December 6, 2025.




• Regular session schools: Exams are scheduled between January 1 and February 14, 2026.

It is important to note that practicals, internal assessments, and project components apply only to regular students whose names have been submitted via the List of Candidates (LOC) by their respective schools. Students lacking complete documentation or unverified status will not be permitted to participate in the practical examinations.

Changes for Class 10 Practical Exams What’s New in Class 10 Practical Exams?

This year, CBSE has implemented significant changes for Class 10 practical exams. Unlike previous years where the board provided practical answer booklets, schools are now responsible for preparing their own answer sheets for Class 10 practicals.

Key updates include:

• No external examiner will be appointed for Class 10 practical exams.




• The entire process—from conducting the practical exam to evaluation—will be managed internally by school teachers.




• Schools must ensure transparency and uniformity in the evaluation process.

This change is expected to streamline the process, but it also places a greater burden on schools and teachers to uphold fairness and maintain accurate records.

Stricter Regulations for Class 12 Practical Exams Stricter Rules for Class 12 Practical Exams

For Class 12, CBSE has instituted stringent monitoring for practical examinations. These exams will be conducted under the direct supervision of an external examiner appointed by the board. This examiner will oversee both practical and project evaluations, ensuring consistent and impartial scoring across all institutions.

The external examiner will collaborate with internal subject teachers, but the authority for conducting and submitting practical assessments rests solely with the external examiner.

Marks Assignment for Private Candidates How Will Marks Be Assigned to Private Candidates?

For students registering as private candidates, CBSE has clarified that marks for practical exams, projects, and internal assessments will be allocated according to the existing policies outlined in the CBSE Examination Bye-Laws. Private candidates will not participate in school-level practicals, and marks will be assigned based on board guidelines.

New Procedures for Uploading Practical Marks New Rules for Uploading Practical Marks

CBSE has introduced significant changes to the mark-uploading process to enhance transparency and prevent tampering. Schools are required to:

• Upload marks immediately after conducting the practical exam, rather than at the end of the examination period.




• Ensure that once marks are uploaded, no corrections or modifications will be permitted under any circumstances.




• Adhere to the directive that students should not be informed about their practical marks. The scores will remain confidential and securely stored within the CBSE system.

Any errors from schools may result in official action, making accuracy and timely submission crucial.

Final Reminder for CBSE Students Important Reminder for CBSE Students

Students and school authorities are encouraged to stay updated with the latest notifications available on the official CBSE website: cbse.gov.in. Adequate preparation in line with the new guidelines can facilitate a smoother examination process.

For those preparing for the Class 10 and 12 Board Exams 2026, understanding the updated guidelines will help mitigate last-minute confusion and enhance confidence during practical assessments.