CBSE releases strict SOPs for Class 10 and 12 practical exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced comprehensive guidelines for conducting practical examinations, project assessments, and internal assessments for Class 10 and Class 12 for the academic session 2025-26.

With practical exams scheduled to begin in January 2026, the board has stressed strict compliance to ensure uniformity, transparency, and error-free evaluation across all affiliated schools.

According to a CBSE circular dated December 1, 2025, schools must strictly adhere to the newly released



Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The board reiterated that marks once uploaded cannot be altered, making accurate and timely assessment essential.

PRACTICAL EXAM SCHEDULE

1. Regular-session schools: January 1 to February 14, 2026

2. Winter-bound schools: November 6 to December 6, 2025

Marks for every assessment must be uploaded on the same day via the CBSE web portal. Schools must also ensure the entry of marks according to the maximum marks specified in the circular dated November 17, 2025.