Eligibility
Private Candidates: Who Can Apply
Students who cannot appear as regular candidates can take the CBSE Class 12 exam as private candidates. CBSE issued the notice for submission of Class 12 private candidate forms for 2026-27 on 7 October 2026.
Who Can Apply as a Private Candidate (As Reported for 2026-27)
Category | Who it covers |
|---|---|
Essential Repeat / Fail | Candidates declared Essential Repeat or Fail in previous years |
Shortage of attendance | Candidates not allowed to appear as regular students due to short attendance |
Compartment | Candidates placed in compartment in 2026 who did not clear the supplementary exam |
Improvement of performance | Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2026 and want to improve in subject(s) |
Key Points
The application is online only on cbse.gov.in.
Private candidates download their admit cards themselves from the CBSE website.
The subjects you can offer depend on your category, as specified in the CBSE notice.
Key Takeaways
Private candidate forms for 2026-27 are online on cbse.gov.in.
Categories include repeat/fail, attendance shortage, compartment and improvement.
Private candidates get admit cards online.
Pro Tip: Read the CBSE private candidate notice carefully for your category — eligibility rules and allowed subjects differ by category.
Source: CBSE notice on submission of private candidate forms for Class XII (07.10.2026); categories as reported by Careers360 (secondary)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give the CBSE Class 12 exam privately?
Yes, if you fall in an eligible category such as repeat/fail, attendance shortage, compartment or improvement.
Can a student who passed in 2026 improve marks?
Yes. Candidates who passed in 2026 can apply as private candidates for improvement of performance, as reported.
How do private candidates get their admit card?
They download it from the CBSE website using their application login.