The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced important dates for practical exams for students in schools located in winter-bound areas. This means students of Class 10 and Class 12 in these regions will have their practical exams, project work, and internal assessments between November 6 and December 6, 2025 .
This early schedule is specifically for schools in places that experience very cold weather and heavy snowfall during the usual exam period. Holding exams earlier helps students complete their practical work comfortably before harsh winter conditions make travel and assessments difficult. All affected students and schools must check the official notification and follow the instructions given by CBSE carefully.
Who Needs to Know These Dates?
These dates are for schools that CBSE officially lists as "winter-bound." These schools are typically found in hilly areas or regions like parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. In these places, severe winter conditions can make it hard to conduct exams in December and January.
If your school is in one of these areas, these dates apply to you. Schools that are not in winter-bound regions will have their practical exams at a different time, usually closer to the main board exams in early 2026. Schools should confirm with their regional CBSE office if they fall under the "winter-bound" category.
Key Dates for Practical Exams 2025-26
Here are the important dates announced by CBSE for Class 10 and 12 practical exams, project assessments, and internal assessments in winter-bound schools:
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| CBSE Class 10 Practical Exams, Project Work, Internal Assessments | November 6 to December 6, 2025 |
| CBSE Class 12 Practical Exams, Project Work, Internal Assessments | November 6 to December 6, 2025 |
Schools must finish all these assessments within this one-month period. This timeframe also includes the important task of uploading the marks to the CBSE online portal.
What Schools Must Do: Important Instructions
CBSE has given clear rules for schools in winter-bound regions to ensure the practical exams run smoothly and fairly. Schools must follow these instructions strictly:
- Submit Student List: Schools must send the final list of students who are eligible to appear for the practical exams. This list needs to be submitted by the deadline given by CBSE.
- Class 10 Internal Assessment: For Class 10 students, the internal assessment will happen only once. After this assessment, schools must upload the marks online within the deadline provided by CBSE.
- External Examiners: CBSE will appoint examiners from outside the school to conduct the practical exams. These external examiners will be chosen and assigned by the CBSE Regional Offices.
- Dispatch Papers and Reports: After the practical exams are completed, schools are required to send the practical answer papers and project reports to their specific CBSE Regional Offices. This also needs to be done by a certain date.
- Official Notification: All schools, students, and parents from winter-bound regions should download the complete official notification from the CBSE website. It has all the detailed instructions and rules.
Advice for Students in Winter-Bound Schools
If you are a Class 10 or Class 12 student in a school covered by these early practical exam dates, here is what you need to do:
- Confirm Your Dates: Talk to your teachers and school office to find out the exact dates for your specific practical exams within the November 6 to December 6, 2025 period.
- Start Preparing Early: Since these exams are happening earlier than usual, you need to begin preparing for your practicals and project work well in advance.
- Complete Project Work: Make sure your project reports are finished, accurate, and presented well. These reports are a crucial part of your assessment marks.
- Ask Questions: If you have any doubts or questions about the practical exams or internal assessments, do not hesitate to speak with your subject teachers. They can provide important guidance.
- Stay Updated: Always pay close attention to announcements from your school and regularly check the official CBSE website for any new information or updates.
