CBSE Announces Practical Exam Schedule, Marking Scheme, and Key Guidelines for 2026 Board Exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a comprehensive notice outlining the schedule, marking scheme, and critical instructions for the Class 10 and Class 12 Board Examinations 2026. The announcement provides detailed clarity on the division of theory, practical, project, and internal assessment marks, ensuring that schools and students are fully aligned with this year’s evaluation structure. With the board exams approaching, the notification holds immense significance for administrators, teachers, and students preparing for the upcoming academic cycle.

Practical Exams Scheduled from January 1 to February 14, 2026

In its circular, the CBSE has officially confirmed that the practical examinations, project assessments, and internal assessments for both Class 10 and Class 12 will be conducted between January 1 and February 14, 2026. This timeframe is uniform for all schools affiliated with CBSE across India and abroad.

The board has emphasized the need for timely and systematic preliminary assessments to ensure accuracy in final evaluation. Schools have been instructed to begin preparations well in advance, allocate examiners, and adhere strictly to the schedule to avoid last-minute complications.

CBSE Highlights Frequent Errors in Mark Uploading

A major concern raised in the notification is the recurring errors in uploading marks, an issue the board has observed repeatedly over the past years. Schools have been urged to exercise extreme caution while uploading practical, project, and internal assessment marks to the CBSE portal.

The board stressed that schools must avoid mistakes and refrain from requesting corrections later, stating that such errors “have been frequently observed” and that excuses for late corrections will not be entertained. This clear communication indicates CBSE’s focus on transparency, accountability, and error-free assessment procedures.

Detailed Subject-Wise Marking Scheme Released

Along with the schedule, CBSE has provided a complete subject-wise annexure that outlines:

• Class level (10 or 12)
• Subject code and subject name
• Maximum marks for theory papers
• Marks allotted for practicals
• Marks for project work
• Internal assessment components

This annexure is designed to ensure that schools and students understand the precise distribution of marks across the evaluation components. It also assists teachers in planning classroom teaching, laboratory work, and project timelines with accuracy.

Each subject carries a total of 100 marks, but the distribution varies depending on the nature of the subject. Skill-based subjects, science subjects, humanities, and vocational courses all have distinct evaluation structures, which the annexure comprehensively clarifies.

Instructions on External Examiners and Answer Book Formats

The CBSE notice provides specific details regarding:

• Whether a subject requires an external examiner
• Whether the practical answer book will be supplied by the board
• The exact type of answer book to be used for theory examinations, including the number of pages

These instructions ensure uniformity and standardization across all exam centres. Schools must carefully verify these requirements to avoid procedural lapses during examinations.

For certain subjects, external examiners appointed by the board are mandatory to maintain fairness. The provision of answer books by CBSE further ensures that all students use standardized materials, eliminating discrepancies in evaluation.

Annexure Helps Schools Ensure Smooth Conduct of Exams

The circular explicitly states that the detailed list of Class 10 and Class 12 subjects has been attached “to aid and assist the schools in smooth conduct of Practical/Project/Internal Assessment and conduct of Theory Examinations.”

The board reiterated that schools must read all instructions thoroughly and avoid seeking corrections or clarifications later. This proactive approach by CBSE is aimed at minimizing administrative confusion and ensuring that both internal and external assessments proceed without disruption.

Theory Exams and Assessment Structure Clarified

While the circular primarily focuses on the practical and internal assessment schedule, it also clarifies that the division between theory and non-theory components is laid out clearly in the annexure. This includes details such as:

• Subjects with 70-30 splits (theory-practical)
• Subjects with 80-20 splits
• Subjects that include project work as part of evaluation
• Subjects assessed entirely on the basis of theory plus internal assessment

The marking scheme is designed to evaluate a wide range of student abilities, including conceptual understanding, hands-on skills, analytical thinking, and research abilities.

Schools Advised to Follow Circular Without Deviation

The board has strongly urged all affiliated schools to comply with the instructions in the circular precisely as provided. Schools must avoid deviations or misinterpretations, particularly in areas such as:

• Appointment of examiners
• Submission of marks
• Conduct of practical exams
• Use of correct answer books
• Implementation of project guidelines

CBSE has made it clear that any attempt to modify processes, request late changes, or overlook details may disrupt the assessment process and will not be entertained.

Availability of Notices on Official CBSE Website

CBSE has uploaded the full notice along with the detailed annexures on its official website, cbse.gov.in, where students, parents, and teachers can access the complete list of instructions and mark distribution charts.

Students are encouraged to review the marking scheme for their subjects to understand how their performance will be evaluated. Teachers must align their teaching and revision strategies to ensure that students score efficiently in both practicals and theory exams.

Conclusion

The CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 Board Exam 2026 notice provides a comprehensive and structured framework for conducting practicals, internal assessments, and theory exams. By releasing the schedule well in advance and offering detailed subject-wise marking schemes, the board aims to support schools in seamless examination planning.

With the practical exams scheduled from January 1 to February 14, 2026, schools must now prioritize meticulous coordination, timely mark submission, and adherence to CBSE-prescribed formats and guidelines. The emphasis on error-free mark uploading and strict compliance underscores the board’s commitment to accuracy, transparency, and fairness in the assessment process.