CBSE Plans Crackdown on Dummy Schools, May Bar Absentee Students from Board Exams

New Delhi/Pune, 28th March 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering amendments to its examination bye-laws to prevent students enrolled in “dummy schools” or those frequently missing regular classes from appearing for the Class XII board examinations. Officials emphasized that students and their parents are accountable for ensuring regular attendance.

As part of its intensified measures, CBSE is exploring the possibility of directing absentee students to the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) instead of allowing them to take the board exams. “If students are found absent from school during surprise inspections or fail to attend regular classes, they could be debarred from the board exams,” a senior CBSE official stated.

Schools facilitating such practices may also face strict action under the board’s affiliation and examination guidelines.

The issue was recently deliberated upon in a CBSE governing board meeting, where it was proposed that these regulations be enforced starting from the 2025-26 academic session. “The examination committee reaffirmed that students must maintain at least 75% attendance to be eligible for the board exams, as per CBSE norms,” the official added.

Students who fail to meet this attendance requirement may be barred from the exams, regardless of their formal enrollment in a CBSE-affiliated school. “Those unable to fulfill the criteria might have to appear for NIOS exams instead. However, CBSE allows up to a 25% relaxation in attendance for valid reasons such as medical emergencies, participation in national or international sports events, or other exceptional circumstances,” the official clarified.

Lalit Kumar, founder of Pune-based Prime Academy, said, “The root cause behind the rise of ‘dummy schooling’ lies in the fact that the CBSE and JEE syllabi are largely the same. Coaching institutes provide a significant edge in JEE preparation, which is why many students opt to focus on coaching. By not attending regular school hours, students often gain 6–7 extra hours a day for focused self-study — effectively tripling their productive academic time compared to a typical school-going student.

It’s also true that JEE preparation, by its nature, covers the board syllabus comprehensively. However, the government’s concern is valid — there are cases where students, due to lack of motivation or poor coaching, neither attend school nor study seriously. This misuse of the system needs attention.

Now that CBSE has indicated stricter regulations, it’s important for students and parents to be cautious and proactive. Students should ensure they fulfill all academic obligations — including completing practicals, attending internal assessments, and maintaining communication with their registered schools. Where needed, students and parents should approach school authorities collectively to seek clarity and workable solutions that comply with CBSE norms.

Our role, as educators, is to support students in balancing their competitive exam goals with board requirements in a responsible and ethical manner.”