NEW DELHI, Nov 2: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has invited schools across the country to participate in its Science Exhibition 2026–27, providing students an opportunity to present innovative projects and demonstrate how scientific knowledge can be applied to address practical challenges.
The exhibition, announced through the Board’s academic circular issued on October 27, will be organised in two stages, beginning with regional-level events between November and December 2026, followed by the national-level exhibition in January 2027.
This year’s central theme is ‘STEM for Science, Technology, and Innovation for a Sustainable and Viksit Bharat’. It seeks to encourage students to explore the role of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in addressing emerging social, environmental and developmental challenges.
The initiative is intended to strengthen scientific curiosity among schoolchildren and provide them with a platform to convert classroom learning into practical solutions. Students will be encouraged to undertake investigations, develop working models and present original ideas that demonstrate their understanding of scientific principles.
According to the Board’s guidelines, students from Classes VI to XI studying in CBSE-affiliated schools can participate in the exhibition. The competition has been divided into two categories to ensure participation across different age groups.
Category I will include students from Classes VI to VIII, while Category II will cover those studying in Classes IX to XI.
Each participating school can register a maximum of two teams. A school may nominate one team from each category or enter two teams in the same category, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Each team can consist of a maximum of two students and one science teacher acting as a mentor. Schools will be required to register their teams online and submit the necessary project details through the designated exhibition portal.
The Board has also specified that each team can submit only one project or exhibit. Students are expected to develop original work, demonstrating independent thinking, scientific investigation and an understanding of the problem being addressed.
The exhibition will cover seven sub-themes, allowing participants to work on a broad range of subjects connected with contemporary scientific and technological developments.
Artificial Intelligence for Better Life is among the major areas identified for this year’s exhibition. Students can explore how AI-based applications can improve everyday services, assist decision-making and address challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture and public safety.
Another important area is green energy and environmental conservation. Projects under this category may focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, pollution control, waste management and technologies that support environmental protection.
Mathematical modelling and computational thinking will provide opportunities for students to demonstrate how mathematical concepts and digital tools can be used to understand complex problems and develop practical solutions.
The health, hygiene and sanitation category will encourage projects addressing public health concerns, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, disease prevention and improved hygiene practices.
Indigenous agricultural practices have also been included as a separate sub-theme. Students can examine traditional farming methods, local agricultural knowledge, soil conservation, water-efficient cultivation and sustainable food production.
The exhibition will further encourage projects focusing on science for rural transformation. This category is intended to promote ideas that can improve access to essential services and address challenges faced by rural communities.
Disaster management is the seventh sub-theme. Students can develop models and investigations related to early warning systems, emergency preparedness, rescue mechanisms, flood management and other measures that can reduce the impact of natural and human-made disasters.
The Board has encouraged participants to select problems that have practical relevance and develop projects that demonstrate how scientific approaches can improve existing conditions.
Projects may take the form of investigation-based studies, applications of fundamental scientific and technological principles or innovative designs that offer solutions to specific challenges.
Greater emphasis will be placed on investigation-based projects that demonstrate the scientific method. Students are expected to show their ability to observe problems, formulate questions, develop hypotheses, conduct investigations, collect information and interpret results.
The use of environmentally friendly materials has also been encouraged while preparing models and exhibits. This requirement is intended to ensure that the exhibition promotes sustainability not only through its themes but also through the materials and methods used by participating students.
The evaluation process will consider several aspects of each project. Creativity and imagination will carry the highest weightage of 20 per cent, while originality and innovation will account for 15 per cent.
Evidence of scientific thinking and the application of relevant principles will receive another 15 per cent. Technical skills, workmanship and craftsmanship will also carry 15 per cent.
Educational value, potential for wider application and usefulness to society will account for 15 per cent of the assessment. The remaining marks will be distributed between economic feasibility, portability and durability, which together carry 10 per cent, and presentation, which will account for another 10 per cent.
The evaluation framework is designed to ensure that projects are assessed not merely on their appearance but also on their originality, scientific foundation and potential practical value.
The exhibition will follow a regional to national selection process. Students will first present their projects at regional-level events scheduled between November and December 2026. Selected entries will then progress to the national level exhibition planned for January 2027.
According to the exhibition guidelines, the best 14 exhibits from each regional venue will be eligible for participation at the national stage, subject to the prescribed selection process and quality requirements.
The national-level event will provide students with an opportunity to showcase their work before a wider audience and interact with participants from different parts of the country.
Outstanding projects will receive recognition and awards. Selected winners may also be considered for participation in the Rashtriya Bal Vaigyaanik Pradarshani 2027, organised by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), subject to the applicable selection requirements.
The initiative is expected to encourage greater interaction between students and science teachers while strengthening practical learning in schools.
For many students, science education is often associated with textbooks, classroom lectures and written examinations. Exhibitions of this nature provide an alternative learning environment in which theoretical concepts can be tested through experiments, models and research based activities.
Working on a project also requires students to identify a problem, examine available information and develop an approach to finding a solution. These activities can help improve analytical thinking, teamwork, communication and problem-solving abilities.
The participation of science teachers as team mentors is another important aspect of the programme. Teachers are expected to guide students during the development process while allowing them to take responsibility for their ideas and investigations.
Schools have been encouraged to identify suitable projects and motivate students to participate in the competition. Institutions can also use the exhibition as an opportunity to strengthen laboratory-based learning and introduce students to emerging areas of science and technology.
The registration process is being conducted through the CBSE Science Exhibition portal. The last date for registration, online submission of project details and payment of the prescribed fee is November 14, 2026. The registration fee has been fixed at Rs 3,000 per school.
Schools must complete the registration process within the stipulated period, as the Board’s guidelines do not permit participation if the registration deadline is missed.
The exhibition reflects the growing emphasis on experiential learning and the practical application of scientific knowledge in school education.
By bringing together subjects such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, agricultural innovation and disaster preparedness, CBSE aims to encourage students to understand how science can contribute to national development.
The programme also seeks to identify young innovators and provide them with opportunities to develop their ideas beyond the classroom environment.
With the regional stage approaching, schools and students have been encouraged to begin preparations early, select relevant project themes and ensure that their exhibits demonstrate originality, scientific accuracy and practical usefulness.
The national exhibition in January 2027 is expected to bring together some of the most promising student projects, providing a platform for young learners to demonstrate their creativity and contribute ideas towards a sustainable and technologically advanced India.