The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently withdrew the affiliation of 21 schools and downgraded six from senior secondary to secondary level, taking a strong stance against “dummy” admissions that allow students to enroll without attending classes. This crackdown followed surprise inspections in September across schools in Delhi and Rajasthan, revealing serious compliance issues. CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta emphasized that such practices violate core educational values, jeopardizing students’ growth by bypassing regular school attendance requirements.

The decision aligns with CBSE’s commitment to uphold educational integrity. Inspections revealed evidence of non-attending admissions, typically for students aiming to focus solely on entrance exams for engineering and medical fields, often preferring such admissions for state quotas. Schools found in violation received show-cause notices, allowing a 30-day response period, after which CBSE acted decisively. Gupta noted that these dummy admissions go against the foundational principles of school education, and the Board aims to set a clear standard for all affiliated institutions.

The inspections included thorough documentation, including videographic evidence, as well as detailed reports assessing whether these institutions met the required standards for student attendance and regularity. Of the 21 schools that lost affiliation, 16 were in Delhi, with the remaining in Rajasthan’s Kota and Sikar, known for intense coaching hubs.

The decision comes in the wake of similar actions earlier this year when CBSE canceled the affiliation of 20 schools on similar grounds. With this move, CBSE is sending a strong message to its affiliated schools, underscoring the importance of maintaining educational integrity and compliance. This action is aimed at creating an environment where regular schooling, rather than shortcuts, is prioritized in students’ academic journeys.

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