The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a crucial directive to all its affiliated schools, reminding them to adhere strictly to the prescribed guidelines for conducting practical examinations, internal assessments, and project evaluations for the upcoming 2026 board exams for Classes 10 and 12. This reminder comes as schools across the nation prepare for the practical examination season ahead of the main theory papers.
Strict Adherence to Norms for Fair Evaluation
The board has emphasized that all schools must follow the already communicated norms for the conduct of practical exams and other assessment components. The core principles stressed are uniformity, transparency, and fairness in the evaluation process. CBSE reiterated that practical exams and internal assessments are an integral part of the final board examination and must be executed precisely as per the syllabus, marking scheme, and official instructions.
Any deviation from the established procedures could lead to action under the CBSE affiliation bye-laws. The board has placed special emphasis on the fact that marks awarded must genuinely reflect the actual performance of students. Schools have been instructed to ensure evaluations are carried out objectively and responsibly, explicitly warning against any undue inflation or manipulation of scores.
School Heads' Responsibility and Record-Keeping
CBSE has underlined the critical role of school principals and heads in this process. They are entrusted with the responsibility of supervising the entire assessment process. The board has mandated that school heads must ensure all examiners and teachers involved are thoroughly familiar with the assessment criteria.
Furthermore, schools are required to maintain proper and verifiable records related to practical exams, projects, and internal assessments. These records must be available for inspection by the board if required. Schools have also been advised to complete all assessment-related processes within the stipulated deadlines and upload the marks onto the official CBSE portal as per the given instructions.
Credibility at Stake: Warnings and Consequences
This reminder is not the first of its kind. The board has consistently cautioned institutions in previous years against irregularities in internal assessments, noting that such practices undermine the credibility of the entire examination system. The latest communication serves as a pre-emptive warning as the exam season approaches.
The board has explicitly stated that any discrepancies found during subsequent audits or inspections may lead to penalties or disciplinary action against the school. This strict stance aims to preserve the integrity and standard of the CBSE examination process nationwide.
The CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 theory exams are scheduled to commence on February 12, 2026. It is estimated that a massive cohort of approximately 45 lakh (4.5 million) candidates will appear for exams across 204 subjects in both classes combined. The board's firm guidelines for the practical component are intended to ensure a fair and standardized start to this major academic event.
