CBSE Directs Schools to Establish ‘Oil Boards’ and Promote Healthy Lifestyle Among Students
New Delhi, 18th July 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a directive to all affiliated schools across the country to install ‘Oil Boards’ and undertake measures aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among students and staff. This move comes amid growing concerns over the rising prevalence of obesity among children and adults in India.
Citing data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) and a recent study published in The Lancet Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021, the Board highlighted the alarming trend of increasing overweight and obesity rates. The number of overweight and obese adults in India is projected to rise from 18 crore in 2021 to 44.9 crore by 2050, making it the country with the second-highest burden globally.
In response, schools have been instructed to undertake the following key initiatives:
Install Oil Boards: Schools are to display digital or static posters in common areas such as cafeterias, lobbies, meeting rooms, and other public spaces to raise awareness about the harmful effects of excessive oil consumption.
Print Health Messages: All official stationery including letterheads, notepads, envelopes, and folders should carry messages promoting healthy living and combating obesity.
Encourage Healthy Eating and Physical Activity: Institutions must promote the availability of nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, and low-fat options while reducing access to sugary beverages and high-fat snacks. Additionally, schools are encouraged to implement initiatives like using stairs, short exercise breaks, and designated walking routes.
The Board has suggested that students can actively contribute to this initiative by creating the boards themselves, incorporating it as part of experiential learning. Prototypes for the boards have been shared in the annexure and can be customized by individual schools.
Informational, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, including posters and videos, are available on the official YouTube channel of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). For further information, schools may contact FSSAI via email at [email protected].
The directive is part of CBSE’s broader efforts to cultivate healthier school environments and address lifestyle-related health issues among the student population.
