The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released important new rules for practical exams, projects, and internal assessments for students of Class 10 and Class 12. These updates are for the exams happening in late 2025 and early 2026 . CBSE wants to make sure all schools follow clear steps and complete these assessments on time and correctly, ensuring a fair process for all students.
Every year, schools conduct practical exams and upload student marks. CBSE has noticed that some schools make mistakes or ask to change marks after the main board exam results are announced. To stop this problem and ensure greater accuracy, CBSE has made it very clear: no changes will be allowed once marks are uploaded this time . This means schools must be extremely careful and accurate when assessing and recording marks from the very beginning.
Strict Deadlines and No Extensions
CBSE has already shared the exact dates for these assessments, and schools must finish all practical exams, projects, and internal assessments within these fixed periods. The Board will not give any extra time or extensions to these deadlines.
| School Type | Practical Examinations / Project / Internal Assessments Date |
| Regular Session Schools | January 1, 2026, to February 14, 2026 |
| Winter Bound Schools | November 6, 2025, to December 6, 2025 |
These crucial dates were first announced in a CBSE notice on October 16, 2025 , and were reinforced and detailed further in a circular on November 17, 2025 . It is essential for schools to plan well and stick to these deadlines to avoid any issues.
What Schools Must Do to Follow New Rules
CBSE has provided clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which are specific instructions that schools must follow strictly for these assessments. Here are the main requirements:
- Complete on Time: All practical exams, projects, and internal assessments must be finished within the specific dates announced by CBSE. Schools need to manage their schedule carefully.
- Upload Accurate Marks: Schools must ensure that the marks for each student are entered and uploaded without any errors onto the CBSE web portal.
- Verify Maximum Marks: Before submitting marks, the heads of schools must carefully check the maximum marks allocated for each subject. This information is available in the CBSE Circular dated November 17, 2025 , and in the official academic curriculum.
- No Mark Revisions: This rule is very important. Once the marks are uploaded to the CBSE portal, schools will not be able to request any changes from the Board. This step is to finalize results quickly and accurately.
- Stick to Syllabus: The content and format of practical exams must fully match the syllabus and guidelines given on CBSE’s official academic website: cbseacademic.nic.in .
Special Consideration for Sports Students
In rare cases, if a student is participating in a National or International Sports Event and their practical exam date clashes with it, the school has the option to reschedule that specific student's practical exam. However, even with rescheduling, the exam must still be completed within the overall official assessment period set by CBSE. No extensions beyond the stated deadlines will be permitted, even for sports events.
Why These Rules Are Important for Students
These new rules are very important for maintaining fairness and ensuring accurate results for all Class 10 and 12 students. By strictly following these procedures, CBSE aims to:
- Ensure Correct Assessment: Help ensure that every student's work is judged fairly and correctly.
- Prevent Delays: Avoid delays in announcing the final board exam results.
- Increase Trust: Build trust in the assessment system by making it more transparent and error-free.
School management, teachers, and students must all be aware of these instructions. Careful planning and strict adherence to these rules will help in conducting smooth practical exams and ensuring correct results for the upcoming board examinations. Getting the marks right the first time is crucial for every student’s academic future.
