The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued guidelines for conducting Practical Examinations for the Supplementary Examination 2026. The circular applies to Class XII students placed in the compartment category due to Repeat in Practical (RP) or Repeat in Theory and Practical Both (RB).
CBSE has also outlined the responsibilities of students, schools, examination centres and Regional Offices for conducting the practical examinations.
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Practical Examinations to Be Held from 29 July to 4 August 2026
According to the circular, practical examinations will be conducted from 29 July to 4 August 2026. The board has issued detailed instructions to ensure the practical examinations are conducted smoothly and practical marks are uploaded on time.
Students Required to Appear in Practical Examinations
The guidelines apply to two categories of students:
- Students placed in the compartment category due to Repeat in Practical (RP) in any subject.
- Students placed in the compartment category due to Repeat in Theory and Practical Both (RB) in any subject.
Practical Examination Rules for Class XII Candidates
Students placed in the compartment category due to Repeat in Practical (RP) will appear only in the practical examination during the Supplementary Examination. They do not need to appear in the theory examination because their previous theory marks will be carried forward.
Students placed in the compartment category due to Repeat in Theory and Practical Both (RB) must appear in both the practical and theory examinations during the Supplementary Examination 2026.
Venue of Practical Examinations
For regular candidates, practical examinations will be conducted in their own schools. For private candidates, practical examinations will be conducted at the examination centres fixed for the theory examinations.
If a centre or school does not have facilities for conducting practical examinations in a particular subject, the concerned Regional Office may arrange the practical examination at a nearby examination centre or school.
Appointment of Examiners
The Regional Offices will appoint External Examiners for all Class XII students. Schools and Centre Superintendents will appoint Internal Examiners from their own school teachers.
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Practical Answer Books
Schools must use the practical answer books supplied by the Regional Offices for conducting the practical examinations. Examiners must ensure that they complete all entries in the practical answer books carefully and correctly.
Uploading Practical Marks
Schools and examination centres conducting the practical examinations must upload the marks awarded to candidates on the CBSE portal on the same day.
CBSE has stated that once the marks are uploaded, they will be treated as final and no request for any change will be accepted.
Instructions for Students
Students must contact their schools or examination centres by 27 July 2026 with a copy of their result/mark sheet and admit card.
Students must note the date and time of their practical examination given by the school or examination centre and report at the designated venue on time.
Responsibilities of Schools and Examination Centres
Schools and examination centres must prepare a subject-wise list of all students whose practical examinations are to be conducted.
- They must contact the Regional Office well in advance for the appointment of external examiners wherever required.
- Schools and examination centres must not appoint external examiners on their own under any circumstances.
- They must fix the date and time of practical examinations by considering the availability of external examiners, the convenience of examinees and the Supplementary Examination datesheet.
- They must inform students well in advance about the date and time of the practical examination.
- They must also inform the Regional Officers about the plan for conducting the practical examinations.
Responsibilities of Regional Offices
Regional Offices must prepare a centre-wise and subject-wise list of all students whose practical examinations are to be conducted. They must appoint external examiners well in advance wherever required.
Common Questions About the CBSE Practical Examination Guidelines
| Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who do these guidelines apply to? | These guidelines apply to Class XII students placed in the Compartment category due to Repeat in Practical (RP) or Repeat in Theory and Practical Both (RB). |
| Who needs to appear only for the practical examination? | Students placed in the Compartment category due to Repeat in Practical (RP) need to appear only for the practical examination. Their previous theory marks will be carried forward. |
| Who needs to appear for both theory and practical examinations? | Students placed in the Compartment category due to Repeat in Theory and Practical Both (RB) must appear in both theory and practical examinations. |
| When will the practical examinations be conducted? | The practical examinations will be held from 29 July 2026 to 04 August 2026. |
| Where will regular candidates appear for the practical examination? | Regular candidates will appear for the practical examination in their own schools. |
| Where will private candidates appear for the practical examination? | Private candidates will appear at the examination centres fixed for their theory examinations. If practical facilities are unavailable, the Regional Office may arrange the examination at a nearby examination centre or school. |
| Who will appoint the External Examiners? | The Regional Offices will appoint External Examiners for all Class XII students. |
| Who will appoint the Internal Examiners? | Schools or Centre Superintendents will appoint Internal Examiners from their own school teachers. |
| Which answer books should be used for the practical examination? | Schools must use the practical answer books supplied by the Regional Offices. |
| When should practical marks be uploaded? | Schools or examination centres must upload the practical marks on the portal on the same day the practical examination is conducted. |
| Can practical marks be changed after uploading? | No. Once uploaded, the practical marks will be treated as final and no request for any change will be accepted. |
| What should students do before the practical examination? | Students must contact their school or examination centre by 27 July 2026 with a copy of their result/mark sheet and admit card. |
| What should students do after receiving the practical examination schedule? | Students should note the date and time of the practical examination and report at the designated venue on time. |
| Can schools appoint External Examiners on their own? | No. Schools or Centre Superintendents must not appoint External Examiners on their own under any circumstances. |
| What should schools consider while fixing the practical examination schedule? | Schools should consider the availability of External Examiners, the convenience of examinees and the Supplementary Examination datesheet. |
| What are the responsibilities of the Regional Offices? | Regional Offices will prepare centre-wise and subject-wise lists of students, appoint External Examiners where required, and ensure timely completion of practical examinations, uploading of practical marks and receipt of practical answer books. |
CBSE official Circular on CBSE Supplementary Practical Examination 2026 Guidelines for Class XII
Regional Offices must also ensure the timely completion of practical examinations, uploading of practical marks on the portal and receipt of practical answer books in the Regional Office.
