CBSE Practical Examination Rules and Regulations 2025-26

CBSE Practical Examination Rules and Regulations 2025-26

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued detailed guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the conduct of practical examinations, project assessments, and internal assessments for Classes 10th and 12th in the academic session 2025-26. These regulations are mandatory for all affiliated schools, and strict compliance is required. Practical examinations play a significant role in the final board results; therefore, schools, students, and parents must adhere to them diligently.

Practical Examination Dates

• For regular session schools: January 1, 2026, to February 14, 2026.
• For winter-bound schools: November 6, 2025, to December 6, 2025 (already notified).
• No extension of dates will be granted under any circumstances.

Key Rules and Guidelines

1. Conduct of Examinations:
   • Practical examinations must be conducted strictly in accordance with the curriculum and syllabus available on the official CBSE website (cbseacademic.nic.in).
   • Verify the maximum marks for practical/project/internal assessment in each subject from the circular dated November 17, 2025.
   • Schools must ensure laboratories are fully equipped and sufficient practical answer books are available. Any shortage should be reported immediately to the regional office.
2. Marks Uploading:
   • Marks must be uploaded to the CBSE portal on the same day as the assessment.
   • No corrections to uploaded marks will be permitted thereafter.
   • For Class 12, both internal and external examiners must jointly provide an undertaking confirming the accuracy of the marks.
3. Appointment of Examiners:
   • Class 10: Schools appoint internal examiners only; no external examiner is required.
   • Class 12: Only external examiners appointed by CBSE will conduct the examinations. Schools cannot make independent appointments, as this would render the examination invalid.
   • No separate practical examinations will be arranged for students participating in sports competitions.
4. Important Instructions for Students:
   • Attend on the scheduled date; provisions for re-examination in case of absence are limited.
   • Prepare practical files, projects, and experiments thoroughly.
   • Special facilities are available for Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
   • Use of unfair means (UFM) is strictly prohibited and will result in punitive action.
5. Responsibilities of Schools:
   • Inform students and parents in a timely manner.
   • Coordinate in advance with external examiners.
   • From February 1, 2026, principals must monitor daily progress and marks uploading.
   • Violation of guidelines may lead to cancellation of practical examinations by CBSE, with re-conduct under board supervision.

These guidelines are based on the official CBSE circular dated December 1, 2025. For further details, refer to the PDF available on the CBSE website (www.cbse.gov.in). Students are advised to obtain the latest updates from their schools and prepare diligently.

CBSE Practical Examination 2025-26: Conduct, Photo Upload, Marks Upload, and Detailed Guidelines

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) mandates strict adherence to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for practical examinations, project assessments, and internal assessments for Classes 10 and 12 in the session 2025-26. As of January 2, 2026, practical examinations have commenced and must be completed by February 14, 2026. This document provides detailed information on conduct, photo upload, marks upload, and other key aspects, based on the official circular dated December 1, 2025, for the benefit of schools, examiners, and students.

1. Practical Examination Dates and General Guidelines
   • Regular session schools: January 1, 2026, to February 14, 2026.
   • Winter-bound schools: November 6, 2025, to December 6, 2025 (already completed).
   • No date extensions will be permitted.
   • Examinations must follow the syllabus available on cbseacademic.nic.in.
   • Confirm maximum marks per subject from the circular dated November 17, 2025.
   • Laboratories must be fully equipped, with adequate answer books available.
2. How to Conduct the Practical Examination Practical examinations must ensure transparency and fairness. Follow these steps:
   • Batch Formation:
     • Standard batch size is 30 students.
     • In case of space constraints, divide into sub-groups (e.g., 15 students each), but upload marks for the full batch together.
   • For Class 10:
     • No external examiner is appointed.
     • Schools appoint internal examiners.
     • Conducted at the school level.
   • For Class 12:
     • External examiner appointed by CBSE is mandatory.
     • Schools cannot appoint alternatives independently.
     • Internal and external examiners jointly evaluate.
     • CBSE may appoint an observer if required.
   • Examination Process:
     • Students must attend on the scheduled date.
     • Evaluate experiments, project files, viva voce, and written components.
     • No separate examinations for sports participants.
     • Provide special facilities for CWSN students.
     • Unfair means are prohibited, with strict penalties.
   • School Responsibilities:
     • Coordinate with external examiners in advance.
     • From February 1, 2026, principals monitor daily progress and uploads.
     • Inform students and parents promptly.
3. Photo Upload Procedure and Requirements To ensure transparency, photo upload is mandatory, especially for Class 12.
   • Mandatory for Class 12:
     • Upload one group photo per batch.
     • Include all students in the batch, external examiner, internal examiner, and observer (if appointed).
     • Photo must be clear, showing all faces, taken in the laboratory.
     • Must be geo-tagged and time-tagged for verification of location and timing.
   • Upload Method:
     • Use the special app-link provided by CBSE.
     • Obtain the link from the CBSE portal.
     • Upload during or immediately after the examination.
   • For Class 10: Not mandatory, but maintaining records is recommended.
   • Purpose: Serves as proof of actual conduct and is useful in disputes.
4. Detailed Marks Upload Procedure Same-day upload is mandatory to prevent errors.
   • Key Rules:
     • Upload marks on the day of assessment.
     • No post-upload corrections allowed.
     • Maintain confidentiality; do not disclose to students or parents.
   • Step-by-Step Upload on Pariksha Sangam Portal:
     1. Visit https://cbse.gov.in and click on "Pariksha Sangam."
     2. Go to "School" > "Exam Activities."
     3. Log in with school LOC/registration credentials.
     4. Create Batch:
        • Select subject.
        • Enter internal and external examiner details (for Class 12).
        • Confirm batch (up to 30 students); note batch ID.
     5. After examination, select "Upload Marks."
        • Choose batch ID.
        • Enter marks per student (round decimals upward, e.g., 25.5 to 26).
        • Enter observer details (if any) and examination date.
        • Verify and submit.
     6. For Class 12, internal and external examiners jointly submit an undertaking.
   • Additional Precautions:
     • Verify subject-wise maximum marks.
     • Undertaking included in answer books.
     • Seal and retain award lists for one year.
5. Other Important Details and Precautions
   • Absent Students: Mark "Absent"; for valid reasons, "Re-scheduled" and conduct within the period.
   • Project Evaluation: Award higher marks for original work; lower for copied content.
   • Consequences of Violation: CBSE may cancel and re-conduct examinations.
   • Contact: Approach regional office for issues.
   • Remuneration: Updated examiner payments as per official circular.

These guidelines promote fairness and transparency. Schools should regularly check Pariksha Sangam and www.cbse.gov.in for updates. Thorough preparation will ensure excellent student performance.

CBSE Practical Examination 2025-26: Submission Rules and Guidelines

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has prescribed strict rules for the submission (uploading) of marks and related materials for practical examinations, project assessments, and internal assessments in Classes 10 and 12. These ensure transparency, accuracy, and timeliness. Submission primarily involves online marks and photo uploads, with limited physical requirements. As of January 2, 2026, the process is underway and must be completed promptly, based on the circular dated December 1, 2025.

1. Marks Submission Rules
   • Timeline:
     • Begin uploading simultaneously with assessments.
     • Complete all uploads by February 14, 2026.
     • No extensions permitted.
   • Daily Upload Mandatory:
     • Upload on the same day as evaluation.
     • No post-upload changes allowed.
   • Accuracy Assurance:
     • Marks per subject maximum (refer circular November 17, 2025).
     • Round decimals upward (e.g., 25.5 to 26).
     • School and examiners (Class 12) jointly responsible.
     • Undertaking in answer books confirming uploaded marks accuracy.
   • Upload Portal:
     • Use Pariksha Sangam (parikshasangam.cbse.gov.in).
     • Log in with school credentials.
     • Create batches, enter marks, and submit.
   • Absent Students:
     • Mark "Absent."
     • For valid reasons, "Re-scheduled" and re-conduct within timeframe.
   • Confidentiality: Do not disclose marks to students/parents.
2. Photo Submission Rules
   • Mandatory:
     • One group photo per batch (especially Class 12) for transparency.
   • Requirements:
     • Include all students, examiners, and observer (if any).
     • Clear, laboratory-based, geo-tagged, and time-tagged.
   • Method:
     • Use CBSE-provided app-link.
     • Upload during/immediately after examination.
     • Recommended record-keeping for Class 10.
   • Purpose: Proof of conduct.
3. Other Submission and Document Rules
   • Answer Books and Award Lists:
     • Seal signed award lists; retain at school for one year.
     • Ensure sufficient answer books; report shortages.
   • Undertakings and Reports:
     • Joint undertaking for Class 12.
     • Observer reports to regional office within three days (if appointed).
   • Violation Consequences:
     • Possible cancellation and re-conduct by CBSE.
     • Unfair means attempts treated as UFM.
   • Additional School Responsibilities:
     • Principal monitors submissions from February 1, 2026.
     • Advance coordination with external examiners.
     • Immediate regional office contact for issues.

These rules maintain examination integrity. Regularly monitor Pariksha Sangam and cbse.gov.in. Timely, accurate submission prevents result complications.

CBSE Practical Examination 2025-26: Format and Guidelines for Submission to Regional Office

Per CBSE guidelines, most practical examination tasks are completed online via Pariksha Sangam portal (marks upload). Physical submissions to the Regional Office (RO) are limited. Primarily for Class 12 answer books and specific reports; no such requirement for Class 10. Based on circular dated December 1, 2025.

1. General Rules: What Not to Submit
   • Award Lists: Retain one signed hard copy sealed at school for one year.
     • Do not send to RO.
     • Scan using table-top scanner and upload to portal (not mobile).
   • Class 10: No need to send answer books or award lists to RO; retain at school.
   • Marks Submission: Fully online (same-day); no physical format to RO.
2. Main Formats and Cases for Regional Office Submission Submit only in these cases:
   • Class 12 Practical Answer Books:
     • Arrange serially after completion.
     • Send via insured/registered parcel by principal.
     • Local schools may hand-deliver.
     • Include examiner undertaking on uploaded marks accuracy.
   • Irregularity/Issue Report:
     • Prepare detailed report with facts, documents, witnesses if irregularity observed.
     • Send within three days via email, fax, or speed post to Assistant Secretary (Confidential), RO.
   • Observer Report (if appointed):
     • Include date, examiner details, questions, records, issues/suggestions.
     • Submit in prescribed format (obtain observer list from RO).
   • Shortage Notification:
     • Immediate written notice if answer books insufficient.
     • Board supplies via regional offices.
   • External Examiner Issues:
     • Immediate notification for absence/delay to appoint replacement.
3. Submission Method and Precautions
   • Parcel Format: Use insured/registered; clearly mark school name, code, subject, batch on envelope.
   • Timeline: Immediately after completion; delays may invite action.
   • Record Maintenance: Retain all records (dates, batches, examiner details, bank accounts).
   • Violation Consequences: Non-compliance may lead to cancellation and re-conduct by CBSE.

Schools should monitor Pariksha Sangam regularly and contact regional office promptly for issues. Refer to cbse.gov.in PDFs for official guidelines. Accurate compliance ensures smooth, fair process.