CBSE bans board exams for dummy school students

New Delhi

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced stricter measures against students enrolled in dummy schools, stating that those not attending regular classes will be barred from appearing in Class 12 board exams. Officials emphasized that students and parents are responsible for choosing such schools, and necessary actions will be taken to curb this practice.

To address the issue, CBSE is considering amending examination bye-laws, making these students eligible only for National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) exams instead. During surprise inspections, students found absent from schools may face disqualification from board exams. Schools facilitating dummy enrollments will also face strict action under CBSE’s affiliation and examination rules.

This issue was discussed in the recent Governing Board Meeting, where it was recommended that the new rule be implemented from the 2025-26 academic session. CBSE mandates a minimum of 75% attendance for board exam eligibility, with a 25% relaxation granted only in specific cases like medical emergencies or participation in national or international sports events. Simply enrolling in a school without attending classes will not qualify students to take CBSE board exams.

Many students opt for dummy schools to dedicate their time entirely to engineering and medical entrance exam preparation. Some also enroll in such schools to benefit from state-specific quotas for admissions, particularly in Delhi. CBSE is planning to collaborate with NIOS to finalize guidelines, ensuring that non-attending students take alternative exams and that schools violating regulations face disciplinary action.