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CBSE CHALLENGE

CBSE Science Challenge 2026-27: free for Classes 8-10, schools register by 30 October

By AiCoN | Published 16 October 2026 | Sources checked 16 October 2026

CBSE has opened the Science Challenge 2026-27 for students of Classes 8, 9 and 10 in CBSE-affiliated schools. There is no fee for either round. Students do not register themselves: the school registers them on the CBSE portal between 14 and 30 October 2026.

Good to knowThis is a certificate-only challenge with no cash prize. The circular promises online participation certificates for Round Two students and appreciation certificates for the best performers. Only schools that register for Round One can take part, so ask your science teacher or school office now.

How it works

Round One (in school): a multiple-choice paper from CBSE, conducted by your school between 2 and 13 November 2026. Maximum time is 60 minutes. It tests speed and accuracy
Round Two (inter-school, computer based): run by CBSE, tentatively between 30 November and 4 December 2026. The exact date will be notified later

Who takes part

All students of Classes 8 to 10 in CBSE-affiliated schools can take part in Round One
For Round Two, a school can send 6 students: the best 2 from each of Classes 8, 9 and 10
Only schools that finish Round One and register their students for Round Two (17 to 25 November 2026) can go ahead

How students are picked

This is merit based, not a draw. Students who answer the most questions correctly are considered first. If marks tie, the student who finished in less time is preferred.

Dates in the circular

14 to 30 October 2026: school registration for Round One
2 to 13 November 2026: Round One in school
17 to 25 November 2026: school registers 6 students for Round Two
30 November to 4 December 2026 (tentative): Round Two, computer based

How to take part: step by step

Registration is school-led: students cannot register themselves. Checked against CBSE Circular Acad-67/2026 and the live portal on 19 October 2026.

If you are a student or parent:

Tell your science teacher or principal about CBSE Circular Acad-67/2026 (Science Challenge 2026-27).
Ask the school office to register for Round One before 30 October 2026 - only registered schools can take part.
Prepare for MCQs based on stimulus material, and practise being quick and accurate.

What the school does (for teachers and principals):

Open the CBSE Science Challenge portal: cbseacadit.nic.in/sc and tap CLICK TO ENTER.
On the School Login page, sign in with the school's affiliation number and password (the LOC credentials) and the captcha.
Between 14 and 30 October 2026, fill in the number of students taking part in Round One.
Conduct Round One in school between 2 and 13 November 2026 (CBSE sends the MCQ paper; 60 minutes).
Identify the best 2 students from each of Classes 8, 9 and 10 (6 total) and register them for Round Two on the same portal between 17 and 25 November 2026.
Round Two is computer-based, run by CBSE, tentatively 30 November to 4 December 2026; the exact date will be notified.

CBSE Science Challenge portal landing page with Click to Enter — School step 1: the official Science Challenge portal landing page. Screenshot of the official CBSE portal, captured 19 October 2026.

CBSE Science Challenge School Login page with affiliation number, password and captcha fields — School step 2: the School Login page (affiliation number and LOC password). Screenshot of the official CBSE portal, captured 19 October 2026.

The registration form itself sits inside the school's login, so it is not shown as a screenshot. For questions, the circular lists cbsesciencechallenge@cbseshiksha.in and 011-43354916.

Video guides

We searched YouTube on 19 October 2026 for a step-by-step registration video for this challenge in English and in Malayalam. We could not verify one that matches this 2026-27 cycle, so we are not linking any.

We read CBSE Circular Acad-67/2026 (dated 13 October 2026) and its Annexure on 16 October 2026. We opened the public landing and school login pages on 19 October 2026; we did not log in.

Sources: CBSE Circular Acad-67/2026 (PDF), CBSE Science Challenge portal (school login). Checked 16 October 2026; steps and video search re-checked 19 October 2026. This is an AiCoN explainer, not a government publication.