CBSE Games at Cluster, Zonal, and National Levels for 2026–27

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a circular announcing important details regarding CBSE Games for the academic session 2026–27. This initiative continues to strengthen Board’s focus on sports, physical fitness, and holistic development in schools.

Whether you are a student eager to participate, a teacher guiding young athletes, or a school principal planning games, here’s a simple breakdown of everything you need to know.

What Are CBSE Games?

CBSE Games are an annual series of sports competitions organised for various age groups at three levels. These games provide students with a platform to:

• Showcase their sporting talent.
• Compete at cluster, zonal, and national levels.
• Build discipline, teamwork, and confidence.

The Board has invited all the affiliated schools to apply for participation through the online portal.

Details About the CBSE Games 2026–27

List of Games With Age Groups

Note: Age is calculated as on 31 December of the year of event.

Age Criteria: 

• Under 11 years: Born on or after 01 January, 2016
• Under 14 years: Born on or after 01 January, 2013
• Under 17 years: Born on or after 01 January, 2010
• Under 19 years: Born on or after 01 January, 2008

Note: Similarly, age may be calculated for other age-groups.

List of Clusters, Regions, and Zones

Note: Venue of cluster-level games can be in any of the states or UTs mentioned against the Cluster. 

Similarly, zonal-level games can be in any of the states or UTs mentioned against the Zone.

Online Registration and Application for Organising Games

Schools wishing to organise games from the given list at different levels, must apply online on the CBSE website. 

• Click on ‘CBSE Sports System’ on the main website and on ‘Sports’ on the academic website.
• Click on ‘Apply to Organise CBSE Games’ to fill the form. Username and password will be the same as used by schools for LOC.

Note: No proposal shall be accepted offline for any schools.

Online Registration of Players for Participation

To participate in the CBSE games you must visit the official website and follow the steps as follows: 

Step 1: Registration

The schools have to register their students online by filling the form available by clicking ‘Registration/Apply to Participate’.

UID will be created for each student registering for the games. The same UID will be used by students for the forthcoming years to participate in CBSE games.

Step 2: Apply to Participate

After successful registration, click on ‘Apply to Participate’ and select the game the participant wishes to take part in.

Note: If you only register and do not follow the above steps, the student will not be allowed to participate.

Step 3: Send Confirmation

After successfully completing Step 1 and Step 2, the participating schools must send an email to the organising schools confirming their participation at least one week prior to the games. This is to be done so that the organising schools can make arrangements accordingly.

Important Instructions for Schools Organising Games

Every organising school must ensure that they have all the facilities necessary to organise the sports. The schools can view the details for infrastructure on the official website of Sports Authority of India.

The school is required to upload a 3 to 5 minutes video on YouTube showing the infrastructure for the games that the school wants to organize along with accommodation facilities and washrooms for ample number of participants.

The URL link of the video uploaded on YouTube should be pasted into the online application form.

Selection Trials for Participants

For students to have a fair chance of participation, schools are advised to conduct selection trails to select the best players to represent their schools.

a) Selection-trials should be conducted before applying to participate in CBSE Games. 

b) A committee should be constituted for conducting selection-trials in the school. 

c) The school should not deny any student to participate in selection-trials. 

d) The school should keep record of the selection-trials and photos of the selection-trails. 

e) CBSE may conduct Surprise Inspection of the school to ensure that talented players are being given chance to participate in CBSE Games.

Fee, Data Entry, and Mapping of Schools

After logging in, if the Cluster and Zone fields appear blank, it means your school has not been mapped yet.

In such cases, your entries will not be visible to organising schools. 

You have to report this issue by emailing:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Schools must carefully enter all participant information, including:

1. Name 

2. Date of birth 

3. Game and event 

If any details are entered incorrectly you can edit or delete and re-register before the last date. 

After the last date, corrections can only be made by sending a request via your official school email ID (@cbseshiksha.in) to [email protected]. The mail must include:

• Complete details of the issue
• Date of birth certificate
• UDISE record (screenshot showing the student’s details) 

If registration is done after the deadline, a late fee will apply:

• Up to 7 days after the last date: ₹500 per student
• 8 to 14 days after the last date: ₹1000 per student

Key Rules for Participation, Grants and Facilities

1. Qualification for CBSE Nationals

• Individual sports: Only 1st and 2nd position holders at Cluster/Zonal level qualify for CBSE Nationals
• Team sports: Only the winning team (Gold medal) qualifies

Certain special cases:

• Chess: Top 2 teams qualify
• Shooting and Yogasana: Top 2 teams and top 5 individual players

Note: If a qualified player or team does not participate, no replacement will be allowed.

2. Sports Grant for Organising Schools

CBSE provides financial support to schools hosting events:

a) Cluster/Zonal level: ₹2,00,000 

b) National level: ₹3,00,000 

However for athletics and swimming the grant provided is different:

a) Cluster/Zonal: ₹4,00,000 

b) National: ₹5,00,000 

• Grant will be provided to school in their bank accounts only after the sports event is successfully concluded. No payment is done in advance
• Schools must submit required details on CBSE portals
• Equipments required for the respective sports must be arranged by the school
• No extra funds will be provided beyond the grant

3. Mandatory Videography

• Videography is compulsory at all levels (Cluster, Zonal, National)
• For Athletics and Swimming, photo-finish records are also required
• Records must be kept for 3 months after the event is concluded
• Costs must be covered from the CBSE grant (no extra payment will be provided) 

4. Accommodation and Meals

Organising schools must provide:

• Stay (including bedding)
• Meals for participants 

Charges:

• ₹500 per day per participant (stay + meals)
• ₹300 per day (only meals, if not staying) 

Important guidelines:

• No charges should be charged if a participant does not use accommodation/meals
• Schools are advised to stay at the venue for safety reasons
• If staying outside, a written permission from the Principal is required 

Additional:

• ID cards must be issued to participants
• Schools can charge up to ₹100 per player for ID cards 

5. Rules and Guidelines

All participants must follow CBSE Sports Rules and Guidelines available on the sports portal.

6. Annual Sports Fee

• ₹10,000 is charged automatically during Class 9 registration
• Schools do not need to pay separately 

For Government schools:

• They can choose whether to participate or not
• Fee is charged only if they opt to participate

Note: Organising schools cannot ask for proof of fee payment at the venue

Final Thoughts

The CBSE Games 2026–27 are more than just competitions, they are a celebration of talent, discipline, and sportsmanship. For students, it’s a chance to shine beyond academics. For schools, it’s an opportunity to promote a culture of active and healthy learning.

As CBSE continues to promote holistic education, initiatives like these remind us that success is not just measured in marks, but also in skills, passion, and perseverance.

Source 

Official Notice by CBSE, 10 April, 2026: click here to read.

Kindly note that any and all information is subject to change as per the CBSE, Education Ministry, and Government of India.

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