Heads Up, Students: CBSE Announces Practical Exam Dates for Winter Schools:

For students in parts of the country where schools close for a long winter break, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the schedule for the 2026 board practical exams. If you're in one of these "winter-bound" schools, it's time to mark your calendars.

The practical exams, along with project work and internal assessments for both Class 10 and Class 12, are set to take place from November 6 to December 6, 2025.

This early schedule is a regular practice for schools in regions that experience heavy winter, ensuring that all exam-related work is completed before the schools shut down for their long break, which usually happens in January

For students in all other CBSE-affiliated schools across India and abroad, the practical exams will begin as usual from January 1, 2026.

The board has instructed schools to make sure that the practical exams are conducted smoothly and fairly.Schools have been asked to finalize their list of candidates and ensure only those registered are allowed to appear for the practicals

So, if your school falls into the winter-bound category, now is the time to start preparing. This announcement is the first official step in the run-up to the 2026 board exams, giving you a clear timeline to work with.