Your practical file programs won’t run if your environment isn’t set up. This guide gets Jupyter Notebook working on your computer in under 15 minutes — start to finish, no technical background needed.
Jupyter Notebook is the CBSE-recommended coding environment for Class 10, 11, and 12 AI Python practicals. The Class 10 AI syllabus (Subject Code 417, 2025-26) specifically lists Jupyter Notebook under Unit 7: Advance Python, and all four CBSE AI syllabi list Anaconda Navigator Distribution as required school software. Anaconda installs Jupyter Notebook automatically — so that is where we start.
What You’ll Learn
- What Jupyter Notebook is and why CBSE recommends it
- How to install it via Anaconda (the CBSE-recommended method)
- How to create, run, and save a notebook
- Essential keyboard shortcuts and tips for practical exams
What Is Jupyter Notebook?
Jupyter Notebook is a browser-based coding tool that lets you write Python code and see the output in the same window — cell by cell. Unlike a plain code editor where you run the entire file at once, Jupyter lets you run one block at a time and see results immediately.
Think of it like a science lab notebook: you write your experiment (code), run it, and paste the result right below it — all in one document. This is exactly what CBSE expects when you submit a practical file with output shown below each program.
Why CBSE uses Jupyter Notebook:
- Output appears immediately below the code — no separate output window
- You can mix code, output, and text explanations in one file
- Libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib work seamlessly
- Notebooks can be exported as PDF or HTML for submission
Step 1 — Install Anaconda (Includes Jupyter Automatically)
Anaconda is a distribution that installs Python, Jupyter Notebook, and all key AI libraries (NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-learn) in one shot. Installing them separately is possible but error-prone — Anaconda is the CBSE-recommended and school lab-standard approach.
Download: Go to anaconda.com/download and download the Individual Edition (free) for your operating system.
For a complete walkthrough of the Anaconda installation process including screenshots, see our Anaconda Installation for CBSE AI Students guide.
Once Anaconda is installed, Jupyter Notebook is ready — no additional installation needed.
Step 2 — Launch Jupyter Notebook
Method A — From Anaconda Navigator (easiest):
- Open Anaconda Navigator from your Start menu or Applications folder
- Find Jupyter Notebook in the home screen
- Click Launch
- Jupyter opens in your default browser — typically at
http://localhost:8888
Method B — From Command Line (faster once you know it):
- Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux)
- Type:
jupyter notebook - Press Enter — Jupyter opens in your browser automatically
What you see when Jupyter opens: A file browser showing the contents of your home folder (or whichever folder you launched from). This is the Jupyter dashboard.
Step 3 — Create Your First Notebook
- In the Jupyter dashboard, navigate to the folder where you want to save your practical file programs
- Click New (top right) → select Python 3 (ipykernel)
- A new tab opens with an empty notebook
- Click on the title “Untitled” at the top and rename it — e.g.,
Class10_Python_Practicals
Step 4 — Understand the Notebook Interface
A Jupyter Notebook is made of cells. Each cell is a block where you write and run code.
Cell types:
- Code cell — write Python code here (default)
- Markdown cell — write text, headings, explanations (change from toolbar: Cell → Cell Type → Markdown)
Running a cell:
- Click inside the cell, then press Shift + Enter — runs the cell and moves to the next one
- Press Ctrl + Enter — runs the cell and stays in the same cell
Try it:
python
print("Hello, CBSE AI!")Click inside the cell, press Shift + Enter. The output Hello, CBSE AI! appears directly below.
Step 5 — Run a Complete Practical Program
Here is how a practical file program looks in Jupyter Notebook:
Cell 1 (Markdown — optional but good practice):
## Program: Calculate Mean, Median and Mode using NumPy
### Class: 10 | Subject: AI | Practical FileCell 2 (Code):
python
# Program to calculate mean, median and mode using NumPy
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats
data = [15, 20, 35, 40, 50, 20, 15, 20]
print("Mean :", np.mean(data))
print("Median:", np.median(data))
print("Mode :", stats.mode(data, keepdims=True).mode[0])Press Shift + Enter on Cell 2. The output appears directly below the code block — exactly how it should look in your practical file.
Step 6 — Save and Export Your Notebook
Saving: Press Ctrl + S — saves the notebook as a .ipynb file in the current folder.
Exporting for submission:
- Go to File → Download as → PDF via LaTeX (for PDF)
- Or File → Download as → HTML (opens in any browser — good for printing)
- Or take a screenshot of each cell with its output for your physical practical file
Auto-save: Jupyter auto-saves every 2 minutes. The title shows (unsaved changes) if there are pending saves.
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
These save significant time during practical exams:
| Shortcut | What It Does |
|---|---|
Shift + Enter | Run cell, move to next |
Ctrl + Enter | Run cell, stay in cell |
A (in command mode) | Insert new cell Above current cell |
B (in command mode) | Insert new cell Below current cell |
DD (in command mode) | Delete current cell |
M (in command mode) | Change cell to Markdown |
Y (in command mode) | Change cell to Code |
Ctrl + S | Save notebook |
Esc | Enter command mode (blue border) |
Enter | Enter edit mode (green border) |
Command mode vs Edit mode:
- Green border on a cell = Edit mode — you are typing inside the cell
- Blue border = Command mode — keyboard shortcuts like A, B, DD work here
- Press
Escto go to command mode. PressEnterto go back to edit mode.
Common Problems and Fixes
Problem: Jupyter doesn’t open in the browser Fix: Copy the URL from the terminal (it looks like http://localhost:8888/?token=...) and paste it into Chrome manually.
Problem: ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'numpy' Fix: You are running a Python environment that doesn’t have NumPy. In Jupyter, run:
python
import subprocess
subprocess.run(["pip", "install", "numpy"])Then restart the kernel: Kernel → Restart.
Problem: Kernel keeps dying or program freezes Fix: Go to Kernel → Restart & Clear Output. If the problem persists, close and reopen the notebook.
Problem: Can’t find my saved notebook Fix: Jupyter saves files in the folder it was launched from. Launch Jupyter from the same folder next time. Better practice: create a dedicated folder called AI_Practicals on your desktop and always launch Jupyter from there.
Quick Revision Box
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cell | A block in Jupyter where you write code or text |
| Kernel | The Python engine running behind your notebook |
.ipynb | Jupyter Notebook file format |
| Command mode | Blue border — navigate between cells, use shortcuts |
| Edit mode | Green border — type inside a cell |
Shift + Enter | Run the current cell and move to next |
| Markdown cell | Text/heading cell — no code runs here |
Practice Questions
Q1 (2 marks): What is Jupyter Notebook and why is it recommended for CBSE AI practicals?
Model Answer: Jupyter Notebook is a browser-based interactive coding environment that allows students to write Python code and view the output in the same window, cell by cell. It is recommended for CBSE AI practicals because output appears immediately below each code cell, making it easy to document programs with their results — exactly the format required in a practical file.
Q2 (MCQ): Which keyboard shortcut runs the current cell and moves to the next cell in Jupyter Notebook?
a) Ctrl + Enter b) Shift + Enter c) Alt + Enter d) Tab + Enter
Answer: b) Shift + Enter
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to install Jupyter separately or does Anaconda include it? Anaconda includes Jupyter Notebook automatically. When you install Anaconda, you get Python, Jupyter Notebook, NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-learn, and many other libraries in one installation. You do not need to install anything else for CBSE AI practicals.
Q2: Can I use Jupyter Notebook without installing anything on my computer? Yes — Google Colab (colab.research.google.com) is a free, browser-based Jupyter-compatible notebook that requires only a Google account. It works identically to Jupyter Notebook for all CBSE practical programs and is a good alternative if you cannot install Anaconda on your home computer. The Class 12 AI syllabus specifically mentions “Google Colab or any Python IDE” as acceptable platforms.
Q3: My school computer already has Jupyter installed. Do I still need to read this? Knowing how to navigate Jupyter is still important — the Lab Test and Viva may require you to demonstrate running a program on the school computer. Focus on Steps 4–6 and the keyboard shortcuts, even if you don’t need to install anything yourself.
