Science teachers and students in Classes 8 to 10 have a fresh activity to prepare for. CBSE has opened the CBSE Science Challenge 2026-27, a two-round contest that tests how fast and how accurately learners can solve science problems. Schools must register their students, and the window for the first round is already running.
There’s no fee. Not for Round 1, not for Round 2.
What the CBSE Science Challenge 2026-27 is about
The challenge runs for students of Classes VIII to X as a student enrichment activity. The Board frames it as a way to build scientific temper, curiosity and problem-solving skills. The question set mixes a variety of stimulants with multiple choice questions (MCQs), and students are judged on both speed and accuracy.
It happens in two stages. Round One is held within the school. Round Two is inter-school and conducted online by the Board.
Every student of Classes VIII to X in a CBSE-affiliated school can take part in Round One. But the school has to register them first. For Round Two, each school that cleared the first stage can nominate 6 students, the best 2 from each participating class.
Key dates to note
Schools log in on the Science Challenge Portal at https://cbseacadit.nic.in/sc/ using their LOC credentials and fill in the number of students taking part.
| Dates | Activity |
|---|---|
| 14 October 2026 to 30 October 2026 | Registration by schools for Round 1 |
| 02 November 2026 to 13 November 2026 | Conduct of Round 1 at school level |
| 17 November 2026 to 25 November 2026 | Registration by schools for Round 2 |
| 30 November 2026 to 04 December 2026 | Conduct of Round 2 (computer based) |
On 02 November 2026, the Round 1 paper with MCQs, along with the scoring criteria, will be made available to registered schools on the same portal.
How Round 1 works inside schools
The Science Challenge paper comes from CBSE and must be given to students in class, with enough teachers on invigilation duty. The time limit is 60 minutes. It’s a power and speed test, so students are scored on accuracy and on the time they take to finish.
Teachers are told to note the start time, make sure everyone begins together, and record students who submit early.
For picking the 6 students who go to Round 2, the rule is simple. Those who answer the maximum questions correctly come first. If marks tie, the student who scored in less time gets preference. Schools then select 2 each from Classes VIII, IX and X and register them on the portal.
Certificates
Every Round 2 participant gets an online participation certificate from the Board. Appreciation Certificates go to the best performing students.
The computer-based Round 2 will run on any one day, to be notified later, tentatively between 30 November 2026 and 04 December 2026. Only schools that completed the first stage and then registered students for Round 2 are eligible. Detailed modalities for Round 2 will be sent to those schools.
For any clarification, schools can write to cbsesciencechallenge@cbseshiksha.in or call 011-43354916.