CBSE Practical Exams 2026: Board Issues Notice for Private Candidates — Check Exam Dates and Details

CBSE has issued an official notice about practical examinations for Class 12 private candidates. The practicals will run from 23 February to 17 March 2026. This notice came just a day before the CBSE Class 10 and 12 theory exams begin on 17 February.

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If you're a private candidate with pending practicals, here's what you need to know. This notice applies to three categories of private students.

👉 Read Official Notice

Students from 2025 whose practical marks aren't available due to Repeat in Practical (RP), Repeat in Theory and Practical Both (RB), or absence. Students from 2024 who fall under the same categories. And students from 2023 or earlier who've applied as full-subject private candidates in their respective practical subjects.

Key Dates to Remember

Where Will Practicals Be Held?

The practical exams will take place at the same centres assigned for theory exams. There's no separate venue. So if you already know your theory centre, that's where you'll go for practicals too.

What About Internal Assessment and Projects?

CBSE has made this clear — there won't be any separate project assessment or internal assessment for subjects that don't have a practical component.

For subjects that do, your internal assessment marks will be calculated pro-rata. That means CBSE will base them on your theory exam marks in the 2026 examination. You don't need to submit separate project work.

Who Will Conduct the Practicals?

Regional Directors and Officers will appoint external examiners for all Class 12 private students. Internal examiners will be appointed by the Centre Superintendent from their own school's teaching staff.

If the centre doesn't have teachers available for a particular subject, CBSE has said teachers from nearby schools will be appointed instead.

Centre Superintendents can't appoint external examiners on their own under any circumstances. That decision stays with regional offices.

What Should Students Do?

This part is important. Private candidates must contact their exam centre directly. Don't wait for the centre to reach out to you.

When you visit the centre, carry two things — a copy of your previous result or marksheet and your 2026 admit card. The centre will then tell you your practical exam date and time. Note it down carefully and show up on time.

What Will Centres Do?

Centres have a few responsibilities. They must inform students well in advance about practical exam dates and timings. After conducting the exams, centres will upload marks through a link visible in their school login account on the CBSE portal.

All marks must be uploaded by the deadline CBSE has set. Practical answer books supplied by regional offices must be used — and examiners need to fill in all entries carefully and correctly.

What About Regional Offices?

CBSE regional offices will oversee the entire process. They'll make sure practicals are completed on time, marks are uploaded before the deadline, and practical answer books are collected properly. They'll also stay in touch with centres throughout the exam window.

What Should You Do Right Now?

If you're a private candidate, don't sit back and wait. Contact your exam centre today or as soon as possible. Confirm your practical dates. Keep your previous marksheet and 2026 admit card ready.

Missing your practical exam could delay your result. So stay on top of this and check in with your centre regularly.

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👉 CBSE Class 12 Study Materials

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👉 CBSE Class 10 Study Materials