CBSE Class 10, 12 Practical Exam Guidelines 2026 Released for Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the official schedule and detailed guidelines for Class 10 and 12 practical exams, project work, and internal assessments in winter-bound schools. As per the notification, the CBSE practical exams 2026 will be conducted from November 5 to December 6, 2025, ensuring completion before the onset of the winter break.

CBSE Practical Exams 2026: Key Highlights

The board has issued specific instructions for conducting the practical and internal assessments smoothly. These guidelines will apply to all winter-bound schools affiliated with CBSE, both in India and abroad.

The CBSE circular emphasized that all assessments must be completed within this timeframe and uploaded to the board’s portal without delay.

CBSE Practical Guidelines 2026 for Schools

CBSE has directed all winter-bound schools to adhere strictly to the guidelines shared in the notification. The key points include:

• Practical exams, project work, and internal assessments must be conducted under the supervision of external examiners appointed by the board.
• Schools must ensure that marks are uploaded on the same day after the completion of each practical or project evaluation.
• The marks submission portal will remain active only until December 6, 2025.
• All exam materials, including laboratory records and attendance registers, must be preserved until the declaration of results.
• Any discrepancies in internal marks should be reported to the regional CBSE office immediately.

CBSE has also urged schools to maintain transparency and follow standardized evaluation procedures to ensure uniformity across all regions.

Attendance Rule for CBSE 2026 Board Exams

In addition to the practical exam notification, CBSE has introduced a new attendance rule applicable from the 2026 board exams. Students will now be required to maintain at least 75% attendance during the academic session to be eligible for their final board results. The board stated that this measure is aimed at improving classroom engagement and ensuring academic consistency. Schools have been instructed to closely monitor attendance records and alert students falling short of the minimum requirement.

Session Commencement and Implementation

As per CBSE by-laws, the academic session 2025–26 will begin on January 1, 2026, for all CBSE-affiliated institutions in India and abroad. Schools located in snow-prone or high-altitude areas have been given flexibility to plan their teaching schedules to ensure adequate instructional hours before the commencement of the main board exams.

The board has also clarified that the theory exam schedule for CBSE Board 2026 will be announced separately on the official website, cbse.gov.in, in December 2025.

Important Instructions for Students

Students appearing for the practical exams in winter-bound schools are advised to:

• Complete all lab records and project work before November 4, 2025.
• Check the official schedule shared by their respective schools.
• Carry school ID cards and necessary materials during the practical sessions.
• Stay updated with official notifications released by CBSE.