CBSE Experiential Learning: Guidelines, Assessment & Implementation Framework

‍CBSE on Experiential Learning: "Subjects should be taught in alignment with the prescribed syllabus, integrating experiential learning, competency-based assessments, and interdisciplinary approaches."

— CBSE Circular No. 14/2025 (March 2025)

CBSE has made experiential learning mandatory, not optional. But between understanding what CBSE requires and actually implementing it in your school, there's a gap.

This guide decodes CBSE's official circulars, explains the assessment framework, and shows exactly how schools should implement experiential learning to meet Board requirements.

What CBSE Requires: Official Guidelines

The Mandate

According to CBSE circulars, schools must:

• Plan curricular activities that enable students to connect learning with real life
• Use experiential processes as standard pedagogy, not add-ons
• Implement competency-based assessments aligned with learning outcomes
• Integrate arts, sports, and hands-on learning across subjects

This isn't a suggestion. It's a compliance requirement for all CBSE-affiliated schools.

Why CBSE Made This Shift

Traditional rote learning produces students who:

• Can recall information but struggle to apply it
• Perform well in exams but lack real-world problem-solving skills
• Memorize for tests, forget within months

CBSE's shift toward experiential learning aims to develop competencies—the ability to actually USE knowledge in new situations.

CBSE's Assessment Framework Changes

From Marks to Competencies

Regulate the percentage of competency-based questions in exams. Here's what changed:

Old Assessment:

• Focus: Can students recall information?
• Questions: "Define photosynthesis. List the steps."
• Result: High scores, low retention

New Competency-Based Assessment:

• Focus: Can students apply knowledge?
• Questions: "Your plant isn't growing despite water and sunlight. What might be wrong? How would you test?"
• Result: Assesses actual understanding

Internal Assessment Components

CBSE's internal assessment now requires:

1. Periodic Tests (20 marks)

• Must include competency-based questions
• Not just recall-type MCQs

2. Subject Enrichment (5 marks)

• Hands-on activities
• Projects and experiments
• Practical applications

3. Portfolio Assessment (5 marks)

• Documentation of learning journey
• Reflection on experiences
• Progress over time

4. Multiple Assessments (10 marks)

• Various assessment modes
• Oral presentations, group work, individual projects

Art-Integrated Projects

• At least ONE art-integrated project per subject per year
• Must be interdisciplinary in nature
• Documented through KALASETU portal
• Counts toward internal assessment

What this means: Schools must integrate arts (visual, performing, literary) into science, math, social studies—showing connections between subjects.

But, what is experiential learning? Read on here

CBSE's Learning Outcomes Approach

CBSE has aligned curriculum with NCERT's Learning Outcomes. These outcomes specify what students should be able to DO after learning.

Example Learning Outcomes (Class 8 Science):

Old objective: "Student knows about force and pressure"

CBSE Learning Outcome: "Student can:

• Demonstrate effects of force through experiments
• Measure pressure in different scenarios
• Apply understanding to explain real phenomena (why sharp knives cut better, etc.)
• Design solutions using force and pressure principles"

Every experiential activity must target specific learning outcomes.

CBSE's Skill Education Integration

CBSE Circular No. 01/2025 on Skill Education introduces skill modules from Classes 6-12.

Key Features:

• 22 skill subjects in Classes 9-10
• 43 skill subjects in Classes 11-12
• Project-based, school-level assessment
• Can replace one elective subject
• Preferably taught through experiential methods

Examples: Coding, AI, marketing, tourism, agriculture, beauty & wellness, healthcare

Why this matters: CBSE is integrating vocational skills with academic learning—all using experiential approaches.

Common Implementation Challenges

Challenge 1: "We Don't Have Time"

CBSE's stance: Experiential learning isn't EXTRA. It's THE way to teach the syllabus.

Solution: Don't add activities. Transform how you teach existing topics. One well-designed experiential lesson can cover multiple learning outcomes.

Challenge 2: "How Do We Assess This?"

CBSE provides:

• Rubrics for various assessment types
• Guidelines for portfolio assessment
• Frameworks for project evaluation
• Competency-based question structures

Use these official tools—don't create from scratch.

Challenge 3: "Parents Expect Exam Scores"

The shift: CBSE is changing exam patterns to include more competency-based questions.

Communicate: Show parents that experiential learning leads to BETTER exam performance (deeper understanding = better retention = higher scores).

Challenge 4: "We Lack Materials"

CBSE's Alternative Academic Calendar (Circular 30/2020) provides:

• Strategies for low-resource experiential learning
• Using everyday materials and surroundings
• Community-based learning opportunities

Additionally: Ready-made solutions like Thinking Juggernaut's Kits provide all materials and CBSE-aligned guides, eliminating sourcing burden.