CBSE Board Exams 2026: Practical exam dates and guidelines released

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has intensified its preparations for the 2026 board examinations. The board has announced the dates by releasing official guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for practical examinations. According to the notice issued on the official website, this time separate schedules have been fixed for winter bound schools and regular schools. Practical examinations in winter bound schools (winter areas) will be held from November 6 this year to December 6, 2025, while practical examinations in regular session schools across the country will start from January 1 in the new year and will continue till February 14, 2026.

This time, there is a significant difference in the rules for conducting practical exams for classes 10 and 12. According to the board's instructions, the board will not send any external examiner for class 10 practical exams. Furthermore, the board will not provide practical copies for class 10; schools will have to make their own arrangements. In contrast, for class 12 practical and project assessments, the CBSE will appoint external examiners in each school who will conduct and evaluate the prescribed subjects.

The Board has issued strict instructions to schools regarding uploading marks. Schools have been instructed to upload practical exam marks simultaneously to the server on the day of the exam. When uploading marks, schools, internal, and external examiners must ensure that the marks are completely correct, as once uploaded, there will be no scope for any correction. Furthermore, practical marks will not be shared with students under any circumstances and will be kept strictly confidential until the results are declared. Students and parents can visit the official CBSE website, cbse.gov.in, to download detailed guidelines and SOPs.