The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has rolled out a comprehensive set of mandatory instructions for all its affiliated schools regarding the upcoming practical examinations, projects, and internal assessments. This directive, aimed at the 2025-26 academic session, serves as a crucial follow-up to the Board's earlier circular and is designed to ensure uniformity and integrity in the evaluation process for students in Classes 10 and 12.
Key Dates and Preparatory Mandates for Schools
The Board has officially declared the window for conducting the practical examinations. The process must commence from January 1, 2026, and all assessments must be concluded by February 14, 2026. To prevent any last-minute chaos, CBSE has instructed schools to complete all arrangements well ahead of time.
Schools are mandated to ensure a sufficient stock of practical answer books is available before the exams begin. Any shortages or issues concerning materials must be reported to the concerned CBSE Regional Office without delay. Furthermore, it is the school's responsibility to clearly communicate the practical exam schedule and all CBSE instructions to both parents and students.
Infrastructure, Examiners, and Evaluation Protocols
A major focus of the notice is on the examination environment and the evaluators. Schools must guarantee that their laboratories are fully equipped with the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and materials. The facilities should be adequate to allow students to perform their experiments comfortably and without hindrance.
In a move to tighten control, CBSE has reiterated that only Board-appointed external examiners are permitted to conduct these assessments. Schools must contact these external examiners well in advance for a smooth process. The Board has issued a stern warning that any practical exam conducted by an unauthorized examiner will be considered null and void.
The evaluation process itself comes under strict scrutiny. Marks must be awarded strictly according to the official CBSE marking scheme and should reflect the student's actual performance. Principals and examiners have been told to avoid casually awarding maximum marks. As a further check, the practical answer books for the 2026 exams will include an undertaking to be signed, confirming that the maximum marks were awarded after following all guidelines.
Daily Uploads, Special Needs, and No Exemptions
CBSE has introduced a strict protocol for mark submission. Marks must be uploaded on the same day the assessment is conducted, and once uploaded, they cannot be altered later. The Board has cautioned schools to be extremely careful during this process, as incorrect uploads may not be rectified later, potentially affecting student results.
The notice also emphasizes inclusivity, directing schools to make suitable arrangements for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) to ensure they can participate in practicals, projects, and internal assessments comfortably.
In a significant clarification, the Board stated that students participating in sports at the national or international level will not be exempted from appearing for their practicals, projects, or internal assessments. No separate exams will be arranged for them.
Monitoring, Remuneration, and Final Warning
To ensure oversight, schools are required to keep their Vice-Principals or Coordinators regularly updated on the exam status. Any clarifications must be sought directly from the concerned Regional Office.
In a positive update for functionaries, CBSE has announced enhanced remuneration rates for those involved in conducting the practical examinations, effective from the 2025-26 session. The revised rates are detailed in the appendix of the official circular.
The notice concludes with a firm reminder. CBSE reserves the right to cancel the practical examinations conducted at a school if it fails to adhere to these directions. The Board has urged all schools to uphold academic integrity and ensure a fair, smooth, and transparent examination process for every student.
