CBSE Practical Exam 2026: New Guidelines Out for Class 10 and 12, Schools Better Pay Attention

CBSE just dropped updated rules for conducting practical exams this session, and schools need to read them carefully. The board has released Standard Operating Procedures for Class 10 and 12 practicals, project work, and internal assessments for 2025-26.

The whole point of these guidelines? Making sure every school follows the same process, marks are uploaded correctly, and nobody messes things up at the last minute.

Students and parents should know what's happening, too, so here's everything in plain language.

👉 Direct Link : CBSE Guidelines and SOPs for Practical Examination - 2026

 When Are Practicals Happening? 

Depends on what type of school you're in.

Winter-bound schools – Your practical exams run from November 6 to December 6, 2025. That window is already open, so things should be in full swing.

Regular schools – You've got time till January. Practicals will happen between January 1 and February 14, 2026.

 The Big Rule This Year 

Here's something schools really need to take seriously.

Marks must be uploaded on the CBSE portal the same day the practical happens. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Same day.

And once those marks go up, there's no editing them later. So double-check everything before hitting submit.

 Other Important Instructions for Schools 

CBSE has laid out a bunch of dos and don'ts. Let's go through them:

Check the maximum marks carefully. The board released a circular on November 17, 2025 with specific details. Schools need to follow that exactly.

Sports students get some flexibility. If a student is representing at national or international level during practical dates, schools can reschedule their exam. But here's the catch – it still has to fall within the official dates. No extensions beyond that.

Cheating means trouble. If any student is caught using unfair means during practicals, strict action will follow. Don't risk it.

Keep the answer books safe. Schools have to preserve practical answer sheets for at least one year after results come out. Award lists need proper signatures, scanning, and secure storage.

Follow the SOPs or face consequences. CBSE isn't playing around. If schools don't stick to the procedures, practical exams can get cancelled. That's a massive headache nobody wants.

 Where to Find the Official Circular 

Everything is available on cbse.gov.in. The board has uploaded the complete SOP document with all the fine print. Schools should download it and circulate it among staff handling practicals.

Students can check it too if they want to know exactly how things are supposed to run.

 Quick Recap 

Practicals are a decent chunk of your final score. Whether it's lab work, projects, or internal assessments – take them seriously.

For students: prepare well, show up on time, don't try anything funny.

For schools: follow the rules, upload marks promptly, keep records properly.

👉 CBSE Class 12 Study Materials

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👉 CBSE Class 10 Study Materials