The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the schedule for the Practical Examinations, Project Assessments, and Internal Assessments for Classes 10 and 12 for the 2025-26 session at winter-bound schools. The official circular, released on October 16, 2025, states that these assessments will be conducted earlier for schools in winter-bound areas, which are expected to be closed in January 2026. The detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines have been provided to ensure the smooth and timely completion of these assessments.
CBSE Practical Exam 2025 Dates for Winter Bound Schools
The schedule for conducting practical exams and uploading marks has been released by the Board. Schools are instructed to adhere strictly to these timelines, as no extensions will be granted.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Practical Exam/Assessment Start Date | November 6, 2025 (Thursday) |
| Practical Exam/Assessment End Date | December 6, 2025 (Saturday) |
| Marks Uploading Period | November 6, 2025, to December 6, 2025 |
Key Guidelines for Schools and Students
CBSE has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines for the conduct of practical examinations. Schools are required to follow these instructions to ensure fairness and accuracy.
- List of Candidates (LOC): Schools must ensure that only students whose names have been submitted in the online LOC are allowed to appear for the exams.
- Uploading Marks: Marks for all assessments must be uploaded simultaneously, starting from the first day of the exams. The School Principal, Internal Examiner, and External Examiner must verify that the correct marks are uploaded, as no corrections will be permitted later.
- Conducting Exams in Batches: To ensure fair assessment, if the number of students exceeds 30, the practical exams should be conducted in two or three sessions per day. For Class 12, schools can create batches of up to 30 students.
- Absent Students: If a student is absent for any reason, their practical exam can be rescheduled but only within the official dates (November 6 to December 6, 2025). The student should be marked as “Re-scheduled” in the online system, not “Absent”.
- Uploading Photographs (Class 12 Only): Schools must upload a geotagged and time-tagged group photograph for each batch via a specific app-link provided by CBSE. The photo must include all candidates in the batch, the External Examiner, the Internal Examiner, and the Observer, taken inside the laboratory.
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Specific Instructions for Class 10
The guidelines for Class 10 Internal Assessments are distinct from those for Class 12.
- Examiner Appointment: No external examiner will be appointed by the Board for Class 10 assessments. The assessments are to be conducted by the schools themselves.
- Single Assessment: The Internal Assessment for Class 10 will be conducted only once. These same marks will apply even for candidates who wish to appear for the Second Board Examination.
- Answer Books: The Board will not supply practical answer books for Class 10. Schools must make their own arrangements.
- Award Lists: Schools do not need to send a hard copy of the Class 10 award lists to the Regional Office. Marks are to be uploaded directly to the link provided by the Board.
Specific Instructions for Class 12
For Class 12, the process involves external oversight to ensure standardized assessment.
- Examiner and Observer Appointment: CBSE will appoint External Examiners for conducting the practical exams and project assessments. The Board may also appoint Observers to oversee the process. Schools cannot make alternate arrangements at the local level.
- Internal Examiner: In addition to the External Examiner, the school must also appoint an experienced Internal Examiner for each subject.
- Answer Books: Practical answer books for Class 12 will be supplied by the Regional Offices and must be used for the examination.
- Teacher Relieving: Schools are mandated to relieve their teachers who are appointed as External Examiners for duty in other schools to ensure the process is completed on time. Failure to do so may result in penalties.
FAQs
When will the CBSE 2025 practical exams for winter-bound schools be held?
The practical exams, project assessments, and internal assessments for winter-bound schools are scheduled from November 6, 2025, to December 6
Is this schedule applicable to all CBSE schools in India?
No, these dates and instructions are only for winter-bound schools35. CBSE will issue a separate circular for regular session schools later
Who will conduct the Class 12 practical exams?
The Class 12 practical exams will be conducted jointly by an External Examiner appointed by CBSE and an Internal Examiner appointed by the school37. An Observer may also be appointed by the Board.
What happens if a student misses their practical exam on the scheduled date?
The school can reschedule the exam for an absent student, but it must be conducted within the specified overall schedule, i.e., before December 6, . No special permission will be granted beyond this period.
What is the deadline for schools to upload the practical exam marks?
Schools must upload the marks for all students by the last day of the practical examinations, which is December 6, 202541. The marks uploading portal will be active from the start of the exams.