CBSE releases new guidelines for 10th-12th practical exams, strict instructions to schools; learn more

CBSE has issued new guidelines and SOPs for practicals, projects, and internal assessments for 10th and 12th graders, which all schools must strictly follow.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made a major announcement regarding practical exams, project work, and internal assessments for 10th and 12th graders. The board has issued new guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs), which all schools must implement without fail. Practical and internal assessments are conducted every year, but this time the board has made several significant changes to ensure consistent examination systems across schools across the country.

CBSE has clearly stated that all schools must complete all practical and project work within the stipulated timeframe, as the board will be conducting a total of four examinations this year. In such a situation, it is important to utilise time wisely so that no student or school faces any problems later.

Uploading correct marks on the web portal is mandatory.

CBSE has instructed schools to carefully upload practical and internal assessment marks to the web portal. The board has also clarified that once the marks are uploaded, no changes will be accepted. Therefore, schools must complete the entire process carefully.

New feature in the answer book: Undertaking from both examiners required

A new and significant change this year is a new feature in the practical answer book. Both internal and external examiners will be required to provide a written undertaking that they have checked and uploaded all the data correctly. This will reduce the likelihood of errors and make the entire process more transparent.

When will the 10th and 12th grade practicals be held?

They will be conducted from January 1, 2026, to February 14, 2026. Meanwhile, dates for schools in winter-bound areas have been set earlier. Practicals in these schools will be conducted from November 6, 2025, to December 6, 2025. The Board has instructed all schools to prepare their complete schedules according to these dates and complete everything on time.

Important Rules for Regular Students

Practicals, projects, and internal assessments will be conducted only for students whose names have been submitted to the Board through the LOC by the school. If a student's name is not on the Board's list, the school must immediately contact the regional office. Schools must also ensure that only the actual student whose name has been submitted appears for the practical exam. Any discrepancy may result in strict action against the school.

The Board has also established rules for private candidates

For private students, CBSE has made it a point to ensure that their practical, project, and internal marks will be awarded in accordance with the Board's established policy and examination bylaws. If, for any reason, a private student's practical exam needs to be rescheduled, it will be conducted in accordance with the board's policy. The board has asked schools to clearly explain the entire policy to private candidates to avoid any further misunderstandings or difficulties.

Why were these changes made?

CBSE conducts practical exams for millions of students every year. Occasionally, complaints were received from some quarters due to improper procedures or schools adopting different methods. Keeping this in mind, the board has made changes to the SOPs this time to ensure that exams are conducted in a completely transparent, consistent, and timely manner.

What will change for students?

Practical and internal assessments will now be more rigorous and timely. The possibility of errors in uploading marks will be greatly reduced. Students will be required to take their exams on time, as there will be no room for delays in the dates. The responsibility of both internal and external examiners has increased.