CBSE: Dummy School Students Not Allowed To Appear for Class 12 Board Exams

The CBSE Class 12 Board exams are a major milestone for students across India. Recently, the Board has made a decision affecting students from what are known as 'dummy schools', as reported by Hindustan Times. These students will not be allowed to appear for the Class 12 Board exams.

This raises some important questions: What exactly are 'dummy schools,' and why has this decision been made? We're going to explore the details of this situation and break down what it means for students and parents. Have you heard about this development? Let's take a closer look together.

What are Dummy Schools?

These schools offer enrollment without requiring students to attend classes regularly. Instead of attending, the students focus solely on preparation for competitive exams like JEE and NEET.

CBSE’s Efforts to Regulate Dummy Schools

A series of surprise inspections were conducted by CBSE across various regions, including Delhi and Rajasthan. These inspections revealed that several schools had a large number of non-attending students. This lead to the withdrawal of CBSE affiliations from 21 schools and the downgrading of six others.
Furthermore, CBSE has already taken action against more than 300 dummy schools across the country.
Now, surprise inspections will continue nationwide to ensure compliance with affiliation and examination bye-laws.
The Delhi High Court has directed both the State Government and CBSE to take strict action against dummy schools.
Here's the bottom line: academic year 2025–2026 signals a definitive ban on dummy school students appearing for the Class 12 Boards.

New Rule for CBSE Schools from 2025–26

A minimum of 75% attendance is mandatory for students to be eligible to appear for the Board examinations. However, the Board permits a 25% attendance relaxation for students for medical emergencies, sports events, or other such situations.
Those who do not meet this required attendance may be asked to approach National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for their exams.

Role of Students and Parents

For students and parents, this development serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of regular school attendance.
Engaging in the full spectrum of school activities not only fulfills academic requirements but also fosters essential life skills and social development.
It is imperative for all schools, students, and parents to align with these regulations to ensure a robust and credible educational system