The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on February 16, 2026, issued the guidelines for conduct of Practical examination in respect of Private Candidates 2025-2026.
The following has been stated namely: -
• As per examination Bye-Laws, practical exams must be conducted for Class XII private students of 2025 and 2024 (RP/RB/Absent cases) and students of 2023 and earlier who applied in full subjects with practical components.
• No Project/Internal Assessment will be held for subjects without practical components, such marks will be calculated pro-rata based on theory marks of the 2026 examination.
• Practical Examinations will be conducted from February 23, 2026 to March 2026.
• The venue for practical exams will be the same examination centres allotted for theory exams.
• External Examiners will be appointed by Regional Directors/Officers, while Internal Examiners will be appointed by the Centre Superintendent from school teachers (or nearby schools if required).
• Practical Answer Books supplied by Regional Offices must be used, ensuring all entries are properly completed and verified.
• Centres must upload practical marks and award lists on the same day of examination, as per SOPs issued.
• Students must contact their examination centres with previous mark sheet and 2026 admit card, and report on the assigned date and time.
• Centre Superintendents must prepare student lists (class-wise and subject-wise), coordinate with Regional Offices for External Examiners, and must not appoint External Examiners independently.
• Regional Offices must prepare centre-wise lists, inform students, appoint External Examiners, ensure timely conduct of exams, upload of marks, and receipt of Practical Answer Books before the deadline.
[Notification No. CBSE/Coord/Private Practicals/ 2026/E-163685]
