The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released Circular No. CBSE/Co-ord/Practical-Suppl./2026, dated 22 July 2026, laying down the guidelines for conducting Class 12 practical examinations along with the Supplementary Examination 2026. The practical exams will be held from 29 July to 4 August 2026. This article explains who needs to appear, where the exams will be held, and what students and schools must do next.
Direct Link to Download CBSE Class 12 Supplementary Practical Exam 2026 PDF Here
CBSE Class 12 Supplementary Practical Exam 2026: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Circular number | CBSE/Co-ord/Practical-Suppl./2026 |
| Circular date | 22 July 2026 |
| Applicable class | Class 12 (compartment/supplementary candidates) |
| Practical exam dates | 29 July to 4 August 2026 |
| Student contact deadline | 27 July 2026 (report to school/exam centre with result/mark sheet and admit card) |
| Issued by | Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, Controller of Examinations, CBSE |
The CBSE Class 12 Supplementary (compartment) theory examination for the 2026 session has separately been scheduled for 28 July 2026, as per CBSE's supplementary exam datesheet. This practical exam circular should be read together with that theory datesheet, since some categories of students must appear in both.
Who Needs to Appear: RP and RB Categories Explained
As per the CBSE Scheme of Studies/Examination Bye-Laws, practical exams during the supplementary session apply to two categories of Class 12 students:
| Category | Meaning | What the student must do |
|---|---|---|
| RP (Repeat in Practical) | Compartment due to practical only | Appear only in the practical exam. Previous theory marks are carried forward and accounted for - no need to reappear in theory. |
| RB (Repeat in Theory and Practical Both) | Compartment in both theory and practical | Must appear in both the practical exam and the theory exam during the Supplementary Examination 2026. |
CBSE Practical Exam 2026 Important Dates
- 29 July 2026 to 4 August 2026 - Practical examinations conducted across schools/centres.
- 27 July 2026 - Last date for students to contact their school/examination centre with a copy of their result/mark sheet and admit card.
- 28 July 2026 - Theory exam date for the Supplementary Examination 2026 (as per CBSE's separate theory datesheet; applicable only to RB category students and improvement/theory-only candidates).
Exact subject-wise date and time slots are decided by each individual school/examination centre based on external examiner availability, and are not listed in this circular. Students must confirm their specific slot directly with their school or centre.
Exam Venue: Where Will the Practical Exams Be Held?
- Regular candidates: Practical exams will be conducted in the student's own school.
- Private candidates: Practical exams will be conducted at the examination centres fixed for the theory exam.
- If a particular subject's practical facility is unavailable at a private candidate's allotted centre/school, the concerned CBSE Regional Office will arrange the exam at a nearby examination centre/school.
Appointment of Examiners
- External examiners: Appointed by the CBSE Regional Offices for all Class 12 students.
- Internal examiners: Appointed by the School Principal/Centre Superintendent from among their own school teachers.
- Schools/centres are not permitted to appoint external examiners on their own under any circumstances.
Answer Books and Uploading of Practical Marks
- Only the practical answer books supplied by the Regional Offices are to be used for the exam.
- Examiners must complete all entries in the practical answer books carefully and correctly.
- Schools/examination centres must upload practical marks on the CBSE portal on the same day the exam is conducted.
- Once uploaded, marks are treated as final - no request for any change will be accepted.
What CBSE Regional Offices Must Do
- Prepare a centre-wise and subject-wise list of all students due for practical exams.
- Appoint external examiners well in advance wherever required.
- Ensure timely completion of the practical exams, timely uploading of marks on the portal, and timely receipt of practical answer books at the Regional Office.
Important Instructions
- The circular applies specifically to Class 12 candidates in the Compartment category (RP and RB) for the Supplementary Examination 2026.
- Practical marks uploaded on the portal are final and cannot be revised once submitted.
- Fee details, admit card download dates, and subject-wise timing are not mentioned in this circular; students should check with their school or the official CBSE website for these specifics.
Important Links
- Official website: www.cbse.gov.in
- Download Official Notification PDF
