CBSE Practical Examination 2026 – Complete Guidelines & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

(For Classes X & XII – For CBSE Schools, Teachers, Examiners & Students)

1. Overview

CBSE Practical Examination 2026 is designed to evaluate students’ hands-on skills, conceptual understanding, scientific temperament, project work, and practical application of subjects. These SOPs ensure fairness, transparency, safety, and uniformity across all CBSE-affiliated schools.

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2. Pre-Examination Planning & Preparation

2.1 Appointment & Communication with Examiners

• CBSE appoints External Examiners (mandatory for Class XII).

• Internal Examiner must immediately contact the External Examiner upon receiving the appointment order.

• Date sheet for practical exams must be mutually decided and uploaded to the CBSE portal.

2.2 Laboratory Preparation (Minimum 7 days before exam)

• Ensure the lab is clean, safe, properly ventilated, and fully functional.

• All equipment, chemicals, apparatus, and models must be tested.

• Backup materials must be prepared in case of equipment failure.

• Seating arrangement chart must be prepared and displayed outside the lab.

• CCTV (if available) should be operational.

• https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/Guidelines_SOP_Practical_Examination_01122025.pdf

2.3 Documentation & Files

Prepare the following:

• Attendance Sheet (with photographs, if required)

• Practical Record Files of every student

• Laboratory Logbook

• Stock register

• Project Files (for relevant subjects)

• Internal Assessment Records

2.4 Student Preparation

• Students must finish Practical Files 7 days before the exam.

• Files must be checked and signed by the concerned subject teacher.

• Students should revise key experiments, diagrams, viva questions, precautions, and theoretical concepts.

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3. Examination Day SOPs

3.1 Entry Protocol

Students must bring:

• CBSE Admit Card

• School ID Card

• Signed Practical File (if required)

Examiners must verify identity before allowing entry.

https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/Guidelines_SOP_Practical_Examination_01122025.pdf

3.2 Conduct Inside the Laboratory

• No bags, mobile phones, or written slips are allowed.

• Only permitted lab materials and stationery can be used.

• Students must follow all lab safety instructions.

3.3 Distribution of Experiments

• External Examiner assigns experiments randomly.

• No student can choose their own experiment.

• Experiments must be allotted in such a way that crowding at apparatus tables is avoided.

3.4 Time Allotted

• Total duration: 2–3 hours (subject-wise)

• Reading Time: 10 minutes

• Experiment Writing: 10–15 minutes

• Performing Experiment: 60–90 minutes

• Viva: 5–10 minutes per student

3.5 Evaluation Procedure

Examiner evaluates based on:

• Accuracy of readings

• Diagram clarity

• Result explanation

• Understanding of theory

• File/Project quality

• Viva responses

• Safety behavior & lab discipline

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4. Viva-Voce Protocol

• Conducted exclusively by the External Examiner (Class XII) and jointly in Class X.

• Viva questions must be conceptual, experiment-based, safety-based, and application-oriented.

• No student should be asked irrelevant or syllabus-outside questions.

• Each student must receive individual viva marks (no group viva allowed).

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5. Marking Scheme (Detailed)

5.1 Class XII

(Subject-wise distribution may vary as per CBSE circular)
Typical Distribution (30 Marks):

Component	Marks
Experiment Performance	08–10
Practical File	05
Project/Activity	05–07
Viva-Voce	05
Investigatory Skills	03–05

5.2 Class X

(20–30 Marks depending on subject)

Component	Marks
Practical Activity/Experiment	06–10
Laboratory Manual/File	04–05
Viva-Voce	04–05
Internal Assessment	Remaining

Marks must be filled carefully and signed by both examiners.

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6. Safety & Emergency SOPs

6.1 Personal Safety

• Students must wear aprons, shoes, and safety goggles (if required).

• No student with open wounds/illness should handle chemicals.

6.2 Chemical Safety

• Chemicals must be labeled properly.

• Students must not smell/heat chemicals directly.

• Explosive/expired chemicals must not be used.

6.3 Electrical Safety

• All electrical instruments must be inspected beforehand.

• Students should not touch live wires or wet surfaces.

6.4 Emergency Procedures

• First Aid Kit must be available.

• Fire extinguisher must be accessible and functional.

• A responsible teacher must supervise in case of injury.

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7. Documentation & Record-Keeping

7.1 Mandatory Documents

• Attendance Sheets

• Award Lists

• Marks Summary Report

• Internal Assessment Records

• Practical File Verification Records

7.2 Award List Submission

• Must be submitted on the CBSE Portal on the same day or within the given time limit.

• Marks must match the signed hard copy.

• No tampering or overwriting allowed.

7.3 Preservation of Records

Schools must preserve:

• Attendance records

• Award lists

• Practical marks

• CCTV footage (if applicable)
  for the duration mandated by CBSE.

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8. Roles & Responsibilities

https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/Guidelines_SOP_Practical_Examination_01122025.pdf

8.1 School Administration

• Provide proper lab setup, safety equipment, and examiner hospitality.

• Ensure fair conduct of examination.

8.2 Internal Examiner

• Assist external examiner.

• Maintain discipline in the laboratory.

• Ensure accurate documentation.

8.3 External Examiner

• Conduct experiments, viva, and evaluate impartially.

• Verify identity and files of students.

• Upload marks within the timeline.

8.4 Students

• Prepare thoroughly.

• Maintain discipline and honesty.

• Follow safety rules.

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9. Post-Examination Protocol

• All award lists must be signed by Internal & External Examiner.

• Files and projects must be returned to students after exam period (if permitted).

• Lab must be cleaned and all equipment must be arranged back safely.

• A final Practical Exam Report must be sent to the CBSE Regional Office if required.

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10. Common Errors to Avoid

• Using outdated/incorrect experiments.

• Not preparing Practical Files on time.

• Wrongly filled award lists.

• Allowing mobiles or cheating material.

• Starting practical exams without examiner appointment.

• Unsafe handling of chemicals.

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11. CBSE Compliance Requirements

• All practical examinations must be held only within the CBSE schedule.

• Dummy numbers or unofficial markings are prohibited.

• Schools must not pressure examiners for high marks.

• Transparent, fair evaluation is mandatory.

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12. Final Notes

These SOPs ensure a uniform, transparent, safe, and high-quality practical examination process for CBSE 2026. Schools must strictly adhere to all guidelines to maintain CBSE standards and avoid penalties.

https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/Guidelines_SOP_Practical_Examination_01122025.pdf