CBSE Announces Practical Exam Schedule for Winter-Bound Schools in 2025-26 Session

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the dates for practical examinations, project assessments, and internal assessments for Classes 10 and 12 in winter-bound schools. This early schedule accommodates schools that close during the harsh winter months in January, ensuring smooth conduct of assessments before the closures.

Exam Dates and Applicability

According to the circular, the practical exams, projects, and internal assessments for both Class 10 and Class 12 will commence on November 6, 2025, and conclude by December 6, 2025. This applies exclusively to winter-bound schools, while other affiliated schools in India and abroad will follow the standard schedule starting January 1, 2026.

The board emphasized that this adjustment is in line with the Examination Bye-Laws and Scheme of Studies, allowing winter-bound institutions to complete these components without disruption.

Guidelines for Schools and Candidate Preparation

Schools are required to finalize the list of candidates based on the online List of Candidates (LOC) submitted earlier. No student whose name does not appear in the LOC will be permitted to participate in the practical exams, projects, or internal assessments.

Additionally, schools must coordinate with their respective regional offices to appoint external examiners and observers. This ensures impartiality and adherence to standards during the evaluation process.

For Class 10, internal assessments will be conducted only once, and schools must upload the marks within the prescribed timeline. Once uploaded, no changes or corrections will be entertained by the board.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Assessments

The CBSE has provided detailed SOPs to facilitate the smooth execution of these exams. Practical examinations may be held in multiple batches if the number of students exceeds the laboratory’s capacity or the maximum batch size specified for the subject.

The school principal, along with the internal and external examiners, must jointly verify the accuracy of marks awarded before uploading. Any instances of malpractice or irregularities must be immediately reported to the board for appropriate action.

Completed answer books from the practical exams should be securely packed and dispatched to the regional offices without delay.

Mark Uploading and Compliance

Marks uploading should begin from the first day of the practical exams and must be completed by the last date of the schedule. The board has stressed the importance of timely and accurate submission to avoid any delays in the overall examination process.

Schools are advised to refer to the official CBSE website for the complete circular, including attached SOPs and guidelines, to ensure full compliance.

This announcement comes as part of CBSE’s efforts to maintain fairness and efficiency in the assessment system for the 2025-26 academic session, with over 45 lakh students expected to appear in the board exams next year.