Board Exams
Sep 18, 2026
CBSE Board Exams 2027: Board Issues New Guidelines for Internal Assessment
M
Meera Iyer
Sep 18, 2026
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a comprehensive set of new guidelines for the internal assessment and practical examinations for the 2026-27 academic session. In a move to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the board has increased the weightage of continuous and comprehensive evaluation. For most subjects, internal assessments will now account for 25% of the total marks, up from the previous 20%, emphasizing the importance of year-long academic consistency rather than just the final board performance.
According to the circular sent to all affiliated schools, the internal assessment will be divided into three distinct components: periodic tests (10 marks), portfolio and subject enrichment activities (10 marks), and a newly introduced 'Critical Thinking Project' (5 marks). This project requires students to apply classroom concepts to real-world problems, fostering an environment of practical learning. For Class 12 science students, the practical exam schedule has been tentatively fixed for the month of January 2027, with external examiners appointed by the board to ensure objectivity.
Sanyam Bhardwaj, the Controller of Examinations, noted that the board is moving away from rote learning. "Our goal is to evaluate the holistic development of the child. The new assessment structure rewards students who are active in the classroom and show creative problem-solving skills," he said. The board has also mandated that all schools upload internal marks on the CBSE 'e-Pariksha' portal every two months to ensure transparency and prevent last-minute mark manipulation. This real-time tracking will allow the board to monitor school performance and provide feedback where necessary.
Furthermore, the CBSE has introduced a digital locker system for all students, where their internal assessment records, project reports, and practical scores will be securely stored. This will facilitate easier verification for higher education admissions and eliminate the need for physical copies during the final result declaration. Schools have been directed to conduct workshops for teachers to familiarize them with the new rubrics for grading the Critical Thinking Projects, ensuring standardized evaluation across different regions.
Parents and students have expressed mixed reactions to these changes. While many welcome the reduced pressure on the final theory exam, some are concerned about the increased workload throughout the year. Student counselors suggest that time management will be key for the 2027 batch. With the board exams likely to begin in mid-February 2027, the next few months will be critical for students to balance their project submissions with their theory preparation. The CBSE is expected to release the official date sheet for the theory exams by late November 2026.
According to the circular sent to all affiliated schools, the internal assessment will be divided into three distinct components: periodic tests (10 marks), portfolio and subject enrichment activities (10 marks), and a newly introduced 'Critical Thinking Project' (5 marks). This project requires students to apply classroom concepts to real-world problems, fostering an environment of practical learning. For Class 12 science students, the practical exam schedule has been tentatively fixed for the month of January 2027, with external examiners appointed by the board to ensure objectivity.
Sanyam Bhardwaj, the Controller of Examinations, noted that the board is moving away from rote learning. "Our goal is to evaluate the holistic development of the child. The new assessment structure rewards students who are active in the classroom and show creative problem-solving skills," he said. The board has also mandated that all schools upload internal marks on the CBSE 'e-Pariksha' portal every two months to ensure transparency and prevent last-minute mark manipulation. This real-time tracking will allow the board to monitor school performance and provide feedback where necessary.
Furthermore, the CBSE has introduced a digital locker system for all students, where their internal assessment records, project reports, and practical scores will be securely stored. This will facilitate easier verification for higher education admissions and eliminate the need for physical copies during the final result declaration. Schools have been directed to conduct workshops for teachers to familiarize them with the new rubrics for grading the Critical Thinking Projects, ensuring standardized evaluation across different regions.
Parents and students have expressed mixed reactions to these changes. While many welcome the reduced pressure on the final theory exam, some are concerned about the increased workload throughout the year. Student counselors suggest that time management will be key for the 2027 batch. With the board exams likely to begin in mid-February 2027, the next few months will be critical for students to balance their project submissions with their theory preparation. The CBSE is expected to release the official date sheet for the theory exams by late November 2026.