New Delhi. ; The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the 2026 practical exam schedule for winter-bound schools. According to the official circular released on October 16, 2025, the practical exams, projects, and internal assessments for Classes 10 and 12 will be conducted from November 6 to December 6, 2025.
This early schedule ensures that all examinations are completed before schools close for the winter break, maintaining uniformity and timely completion of the assessment process.
Early Schedule for Winter-Bound Schools
Unlike other regions where practical exams begin on January 1, schools located in winter-bound areas will conduct their practicals earlier due to extended closures during the cold season.
The official CBSE notice stated:
“As per the provisions of the Examination Bye-Laws/Scheme of Studies of the Board, the Practical Examinations/Project/Internal Assessment for the session 2025–26 are scheduled from January 1, 2026, for all affiliated schools. However, since winter-bound schools remain closed in January, their exams will be conducted from November 6 to December 6, 2025.”
Key Guidelines for Schools
- To ensure a smooth conduct of the exams, CBSE has issued detailed instructions to affiliated schools:
- Schools must finalize the list of candidates and allow only those whose names appear in the online List of Candidates (LOC).
- For Class 10, internal assessments will be held only once, and schools must upload marks within the prescribed timeline.
- Schools are required to coordinate with regional offices for the appointment of external examiners and observers.
These measures aim to maintain transparency, fairness, and uniformity in the assessment process.
India to Introduce AI in School Curriculum from Class 3 by 2026–27
In a parallel development, the Ministry of Education has announced a transformative move to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the school curriculum starting from Class 3 in the 2026–27 academic year.
According to School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, the CBSE is developing a comprehensive AI education framework to integrate technology learning across different grade levels.
He emphasized the scale of the initiative, noting, “The challenge will be to reach over one crore teachers across the country and equip them to deliver AI-based education effectively.”
This landmark reform aims to equip Indian students with future-ready skills, transforming them from passive users to active creators of technology. The inclusion of AI in early education reflects India’s commitment to nurturing innovation, critical thinking, and digital literacy from a young age.
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