Latest CBSE Notice on Practical Examinations for Classes 10 and 12 (2025-26 Session)
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a key circular on October 16, 2025, titled Conduct of Practical Examination/Project Assessment/Internal Assessment for Classes X and XII, for Winter Bound Schools for session 2025-26. This notice outlines the schedule and guidelines for practical exams, focusing on winter-bound schools (those in regions with severe winters, where schools close in January). For regular (non-winter-bound) schools, practicals are scheduled to begin later.
- Winter-Bound Schools: Practical exams, project assessments, and internal assessments must be completed between November 6, 2025, and December 6, 2025. As of the current date (November 8, 2025), these exams are underway for affected schools.
- Regular Schools: Practical exams will commence from January 1, 2026, and must be completed before the theory exams begin on February 17, 2026.
- Theory Exams (for reference):
- Class 10: February 17 to March 10, 2026.
- Class 12: February 17 to April 9, 2026.
Important Guidelines and Responsibilities
- Conduct of Exams:
- Practical exams must be held only by CBSE-appointed external examiners (for subjects requiring them). Internal assessments and projects can be handled by school teachers.
- Schools are required to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) provided in the circular to ensure fairness, confidentiality, and timely completion.
- Each subject totals 100 marks, distributed across theory, practical's, projects, and internal assessments (e.g., external examiners are mandatory for certain subjects like Physics or Biology).
- School Responsibilities:
- Upload practical marks on the Pariksha Sangam portal by December 15, 2025 (for winter-bound) or February 20, 2026 (for regular schools).
- Ensure attendance of at least 75% of candidates before starting exams; absent students must be marked accordingly.
- Provide answer books as per CBSE specifications; no custom books allowed.
What Should the School Prepare for CBSE Practical Exams?
(As per CBSE Circular dated 16 October 2025 – For Winter-Bound & Regular Schools)
1. Administrative Preparation
| Task | Deadline | How to Do It |
|---|
| Download External Examiner List | Immediately | Log in to CBSE portal → Download list |
| Prepare Practical Date Sheet | 1 week before | Include batch, subject, date, time, examiner name |
| Allocate Exam Rooms | In advance | Mark labs, computer rooms, project halls separately |
| Form Marks Upload Team | Now | 2–3 teachers + 1 IT assistant (train on Pariksha Sangam) |
2. Lab & Material Readiness
| Subject | Required Materials | Checklist |
|---|
| Physics | Vernier caliper, spring, lens, voltmeter, wires, battery | All instruments calibrated |
| Chemistry | Chemicals (HCl, NaOH, indicators), glassware, spirit lamp | MSDS sheets ready |
| Biology | Microscope, slides, specimens, dissection kit | Clean, properly labeled |
| Computer Science | Computers (Python/IDLE), printer, pen drive | All systems working, internet OFF |
| Projects (Class 12) | Project file, charts, models | Check each student’s file |
Tip: Keep First Aid Kit + Fire Extinguisher in every lab.
3. Student Readiness
| Task | How to Do It |
|---|
| Distribute Lab Manuals | Give CBSE Practical Manual to all students |
| Practice Sessions | 2 hours weekly practical practice (with records) |
| Project File Format | CBSE format: Cover → Certificate → Index → Observations → Viva Qs |
| Attendance Alert | Send letter to students with <75% attendance |
4. Documents to Prepare
| Document | Source |
|---|
| Practical Answer Booklets (20 pages) | Sent by CBSE or print in exact format |
| Attendance Sheets | Prepare in school (batch-wise) |
| Practical Mark Sheet (OMR) | Download from Pariksha Sangam |
| Project Evaluation Sheet | CBSE website |
5. Technical Setup
- Test login on Pariksha Sangam portal
- Dummy upload of marks
- Keep internet backup (Wi-Fi + dongle)
- Printer + Scanner ready (for project file upload)
6. Safety & Discipline
- CCTV on in labs
- Mobile phones banned in exam rooms
- Separate room + tea/snacks for external examiner
- COVID protocol: Masks, sanitizer, distancing
7. Final Checklist (1 Day Before)
| ✅ | Task |
|---|
| 1 | All equipment working? |
| 2 | External examiner informed? |
| 3 | Answer booklets counted? |
| 4 | Lab clean, lights/fans on? |
| 5 | Attendance sheets ready? |
| 6 | Pariksha Sangam login tested? |
Download Essential Files
- 📥 CBSE Practical SOP (PDF)
- 📥 Practical Mark Sheet Format
- 📥 External Examiner List
