Finance
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reminded associated institutions to “strictly follow” the established criteria when conducting practical tests, internal assessments, and project evaluations in Classes 10 and 12.
The board reaffirmed that all schools must follow the previously published guidelines for the administration of practical tests and assessment components, emphasizing uniformity, transparency, and fairness in evaluation.
CBSE reminded schools that practical examinations and internal assessments are essential components of the board examination process and must be carried out in accordance with the syllabus, marking scheme, and instructions published by the board. Any deviation from the established procedures may result in action under CBSE affiliation bye-laws.
The board also underlined that scores earned during practical exams and internal assessments should represent students’ actual performance. Schools have been directed to ensure that evaluations are conducted objectively and responsibly, with no excessive inflation or manipulation of scores.
CBSE also emphasized the role of school principals to oversee the entire assessment process and ensure that examiners and teachers involved are familiar with the assessment criteria. The board specified that schools must keep accurate records of practical tests, projects, and internal assessments for verification, if necessary.
The warning comes as CBSE schools throughout the country prepare for the practical exam season before the annual board exams. In prior years, the board has frequently warned institutions about internal evaluation anomalies, pointing out that such methods damage the examination system’s legitimacy.
Schools have been urged to complete all assessment-related operations within the time frames specified and to upload marks to the CBSE portal in accordance with the guidelines. The board has also said that anomalies discovered during audits or inspections may result in sanctions or disciplinary action.
The CBSE Class 10 and 12 theory exams will begin on February 12, 2026. An estimated 45 lakh students are expected to compete in 204 topics across both Classes 10 and 12.
