Introduction
CBSE Class 12 practical exams 2026 for the 2025-26 academic session are scheduled from January 1 to February 14, 2026, for most schools, following winter-bound exams completed in November-December 2025. These exams, conducted internally at schools with external examiners present, carry 20-30 marks per subject and precede theory papers from February 17 to April 9. Schools follow CBSE SOPs for scheduling, marking, and uploading internal assessments via the Pariksha portal.
Schedule Overview
Winter-bound schools (e.g., cold regions) finished practicals between November 6 and December 6, 2025. Regular CBSE-affiliated schools conduct subject-wise practicals within the January-February window, with no centralised date sheet—schools coordinate timings. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and other practical-heavy subjects prioritise early slots.
Key Guidelines
External and internal examiners supervise sessions; students must carry admit cards and lab manuals. Marks’ upload deadlines align with the theory exam start, emphasising timely completion. Check cbse.gov.in for circulars and SOPs.
Overview
CBSE Class 12 practical exams 2026 occur school-wise from January 1 to February 14, 2026, for regular affiliated schools, following winter-bound sessions completed November 6 to December 6, 2025. No centralised date sheet exists; schools schedule subject-wise practicals, projects, and internals per CBSE SOPs, uploading marks daily via Pariksha portal before theory exams starting February 17.
Schedule Breakdown
Winter-bound schools (high-altitude regions) finished early to accommodate the weather. Regular schools prioritise Science practicals (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) first, with Music, Home Science, and others flexible within the window. External examiners oversee Class 12 alongside internals; arrive by 10 AM in uniform with an admit card.
Exam Format
Each practical carries 20-30 marks, assessed on experiments, viva, and projects using lab manuals. Follow cbse.gov.in circulars for SOPs like mark uploading same day and no electronic aids.
CBSE Class 12 Practical Exam Schedule 2026
CBSE Class 12 practical exams 2026 follow a school-specific schedule rather than a fixed centralised timetable. Below is the overview table summarising key dates and phases.
| Phase/Category | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Winter-Bound Schools | November 6 – December 6, 2025 | High-altitude/cold regions; already completed |
| Regular Affiliated Schools | January 1 – February 14, 2026 | School-conducted with external examiners; Science subjects prioritised |
| Theory Exams (Post-Practicals) | February 17 – April 9, 2026 | Pen-paper; marks upload deadline aligns with start |
CBSE Class 12 board exams run from February 17 to April 10, 2026, with all papers from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Below is the subject-wise schedule compiled from official releases.
| Date | Day | Subjects (Subject Codes) |
|---|---|---|
| February 17, 2026 | Tuesday | English Elective, English Core (301, 001) |
| February 18, 2026 | Wednesday | Mathematics, Applied Mathematics (041, 241) |
| February 19, 2026 | Thursday | Physics (042) |
| February 20, 2026 | Friday | Chemistry (043) |
| February 24, 2026 | Tuesday | Biology (044) |
| February 25, 2026 | Wednesday | Geography (029) |
| February 26, 2026 | Thursday | Hindi Core, Hindi Elective (302, 002) |
| February 27, 2026 | Friday | Painting, Graphics, Sculpture (049, 050, 051) |
| February 28, 2026 | Saturday | Accountancy (055) |
| March 2, 2026 | Monday | Economics (030) |
| March 3, 2026 | Tuesday | History (027) |
| March 4, 2026 | Wednesday | Political Science (028) |
| March 5, 2026 | Thursday | Business Studies (054) |
| March 6, 2026 | Friday | Sociology (039) |
| March 18, 2026 | Tuesday | Home Science (064) |
| March 23, 2026 | Sunday | Psychology (037) |
| March 27, 2026 | Friday | Informatics Practices, Computer Science (065, 083) |
| March 28, 2026 | Saturday | Entrepreneurship (066) |
| March 30, 2026 | Monday | Legal Studies (070) |
| April 4, 2026 | Saturday | Mass Media Studies (072) |
| April 10, 2026 | Friday | Rescheduled paper (if applicable) |
CBSE Class 12 Practical Exam Details 2026
CBSE Class 12 practical exams 2026, worth 20-30 marks per subject, assess hands-on skills through experiments, viva voce, and projects conducted at schools under internal and external examiners. Sessions run from January 1 to February 14, 2026, for regular schools, with marks uploaded daily via the Pariksha portal. Students must carry admit cards, lab manuals, and wear uniforms; no electronic devices allowed.
Structure by Subject Type
| Subject Group | Marks Breakdown | Key Components |
|---|---|---|
| Science (Physics/Chem/Bio) | Experiments (15), Viva (10), Practical File (5) | 2-3 experiments per session; viva tests theory application |
| Music/Arts | Performance (15), Discussion (10), File (5) | Live demonstration with written records |
| Home Science | Practical Tasks (20), Viva (10) | Cooking, stitching, or testing demos |
| Computer Science | Programming (15), Viva (10), Project (5) | Code execution and debugging |
Schools schedule batches (10-15 students) starting at 10 AM, with geotagged group photos mandatory, including examiners. External examiners verify fairness; internals handle Class 10 only. Follow SOPs from cbse.gov.in: complete mark entry same day, no rescheduling without approval.
CBSE Class 12 Practical Marks 2026
CBSE Class 12 practical exams contribute 20-30 marks per subject toward the 100-mark total, varying by stream and subject as per official marking schemes. Science subjects allocate 30 marks to practicals, while Commerce/Humanities typically assign 20 marks.
Marks by Subject Category
| Subject Category | Practical Marks | Theory Marks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics, Chemistry, Biology | 30 | 70 | 100 |
| Computer Science, Psychology | 30 | 70 | 100 |
| Accountancy, Business Studies | 20 | 80 | 100 |
| Geography, Home Science | 30 | 70 | 100 |
| English, Hindi (Core/Elective) | 20 (Internal) | 80 | 100 |
Students need 33% (10 marks for 30-mark practicals, 7 for 20-mark) separately to pass each component. Check cbseacademic.nic.in for subject-specific PDFs.
CBSE Class 12 Practical Pass Criteria 2026
CBSE requires students to score a minimum of 33% marks separately in practical exams for Class 12 subjects, independent of theory performance. This equates to at least 10/30 marks or 7/20 marks based on subject allocation.
Board-Wise Comparison
| Board | Practical Pass Marks | Theory Pass Marks | Aggregate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBSE Class 12 | 33% separately (10/30 or 7/20) | 33% separately | 33% | Compartment if either fails; no grace carryover |
| HPBOSE Class 12 | 33% combined with theory | 33% combined | 33% | 20/60 or 26/80 papers inclusive |
| Odisha CHSE | 30% including practical | 30% theory | 30% | Internal marks factor in aggregate |
CBSE Class 12 Practical Exam Instructions 2026
CBSE Class 12 practical exams require students to arrive 30-40 minutes early in school uniform, carrying an admit card, a lab manual, stationery, and a lab coat (if required). Batches of 25-30 students per session start at 10 AM under internal/external examiners; no electronic devices or unauthorised materials allowed.
Student Guidelines
Follow examiner instructions precisely; clarify doubts with the lab assistant before starting experiments.
Complete practical notebook entries on-site; perform 2-3 experiments with viva voce assessing procedure/theory.
Maintain lab safety: wear goggles/aprons, handle equipment carefully, and clean workspace post-exam.
School/Examiner Rules
Schools upload geotagged photos of each batch (students + examiners) and marks daily via Pariksha portal by 6 PM; no fractional marks—round up (e.g., 25.5 to 26). Absentees get one reschedule within the window; no extensions beyond February 14. External examiners mandatory for Class 12; answer books from regional offices.
CBSE Class 12 Practical Exam Timings 2026
CBSE Class 12 practical exams follow school-determined schedules from January 1 to February 14, 2026, typically starting at 10 AM with sessions lasting 2-3 hours per batch. Theory exams maintain fixed timings across all dates.
Timings Overview
| Exam Type | Start Time | Duration | Reporting Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Exams | 10:00 AM | 2-3 hours | 9:20-9:30 AM | School batches of 25-30 students; external examiner present |
| Theory Exams | 10:30 AM | 3 hours | 10:00 AM | All papers nationwide; ends 1:30 PM |
| Winter-Bound Practicals | 10:00 AM | 2-3 hours | 9:30 AM | Completed Nov-Dec 2025 in cold regions |
Permitted Items
| Item Category | Specific Items |
|---|---|
| Documents | Admit card, school ID or Aadhaar |
| Stationery | Blue/black pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, ruler, transparent geometry box |
| Practical Tools | Lab manual/notebook, practical file, lab coat/apron, safety goggles (Science subjects) |
| Other | Transparent water bottle, analogue watch, metro card/bus pass |
Mobiles, smartwatches, calculators (except Dyscalculia cases), and electronic devices.
Eatables, bags, wallets, textual notes, and log tables (school provides if needed).
Dress code: School uniform (regular students) or light clothes (private)
Official CBSE Class 12 Exam Websites 2026
| Purpose | Official Website | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Main Portal (Circulars, Notices, Date Sheets) | cbse.gov.in | Theory/practical schedules, SOPs, guidelines |
| Practical Marks Upload (Class 12) | cbseit.in/cbse/web/prac/login.aspx | Schools upload daily practical marks |
| Pariksha Portal (Admit Cards, Results) | pariksha.cbse.nic.in | Admit cards, mark entry, and results |
| Academic Resources (Syllabus, Marking Scheme) | cbseacademic. nic. in | Subject-wise practical lists, manuals |
| Examination Circulars | cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/examination_Circular.html | Latest PDFs for practical SOPs |
CBSE Class 12 Practical Exam 2026 FAQs
When do practical exams start?
January 1 to February 14, 2026, for regular CBSE schools; winter-bound areas completed November 6 to December 6, 2025.
Where are practicals conducted?
At students’ own schools in batches of 25-30, supervised by internal/external examiners.
How many marks for practicals?
20-30 marks per subject (Science: 30; Commerce/Humanities: 20); 33% minimum pass required separately.
What if I fail the practical but pass the theory?
Compartment status: reappear for both practical and theory in the July 2026 compartment exams.
What documents to carry?
Admit card, school ID, lab manual, uniform, lab coat; no mobiles or bags allowed.
What happens if absent?
One reschedule is allowed within the window; repeated absence leads to zero marks.
Who uploads practical marks?
Schools upload daily via cbseit. in the portal by 6 PM with geotagged photos.
Are timings fixed nationwide?
No, schools schedule from 10 AM (2-3 hours); report 30 minutes early.