The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued the complete guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the practical exam, project work, and internal assessments for Classes 10 and 12 for the academic session 2025-26. The board has strictly instructed schools that following the instructions is compulsory, and uploaded marks cannot be altered once submitted, as stated by the CBSE.
In its notification, schools were also directed to finish assessments within the given timeframe, since CBSE will conduct four exams this year, and timelines will be limited for any extensions. Also, the board mentioned that the marks once uploaded can not be altered.
CBSE Board Exams 2025 Practical Exam Schedule
The CBSE has scheduled the practical exam on different dates based on the regular session or winter-bound schools. As per the date released for the practical exam, the schedule is as follows:
Regular-session schools: January 1 to February 14, 2026
Winter-bound schools: November 6 to December 6, 2025
Marks for every practical exam must be uploaded on the same day through the CBSE website. The school must ensure that the marks are to be put according to the maximum marks mentioned in the circular released on 17 November 2025.
CBSE Guidelines for Class 10 Practical Exam
As per the CBSE, the complete guidelines for the Class 10 practical exam are:
No outside examiners will be assigned; schools are responsible for conducting practical exams internally.
Schools must organise and keep practical answer books, which need to be submitted to the CBSE regional offices.
All assessment records must be properly maintained following the board rules.
CBSE Guidelines for Class 12 Practical Exam
According to the CBSE, the complete guidelines for the Class 12 practical exam are:
The CBSE will designate external examiners, and schools are not allowed to hire local replacements.
Both external and internal examiners need to be present throughout the assessments.
External examiners should inspect the laboratories one day prior to the exam to verify the availability of equipment, chemicals, and other necessary items.
Practical exams should be held in groups of 30 students, with smaller subgroups of 15 allowed for the laboratory and written portions.
Schools must upload group photos, including students, internal and external examiners, as well as observers.
Strict Action for UFM Offence, Non-Compliance, and Penalties
The CBSE has issued a warning that failure to follow the prescribed SOPs may result in the cancellation of practical exams and their re-conduction under direct board supervision. Any attempt by students to influence examiners will be marked as an Unfair Means (UFM) offence. Schools are urged to conduct assessments with the utmost transparency and precision.
