CBSE Cracks Down on Dummy Schools: No Board Exams for Non-Attending Students from 2025-26

New Delhi:
In a bold move to uphold academic discipline and student accountability, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that students enrolled in dummy schools—institutions where students do not attend regular classes—will no longer be eligible to appear for the Class 12 board examinations starting from the academic session 2025–26.

This major reform aims to tackle the growing misuse of dummy school enrollments by students focusing solely on competitive exams like JEE and NEET, while bypassing school education altogether.

CBSE Action Against Dummy Schools: What’s Changing?
Dummy schools have become increasingly popular among students preparing for engineering and medical entrance exams. These schools often exist only on paper, registering students but not requiring them to attend classes. This undermines the essence of school education and violates CBSE norms.

In response, the CBSE has proposed amending its examination bye-laws to ensure that only regularly attending students are permitted to take board exams. The decision was endorsed in a recent Governing Body Meeting and Examination Committee discussion.

CBSE School Attendance Rules: 75% Mandatory Attendance
Under existing CBSE regulations, students must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance in their classes to be eligible for board exams. The board has clarified that merely enrolling in a school without actual attendance does not meet the criteria.

Schools found promoting or harboring dummy school practices will be held accountable and may face disciplinary actions, including withdrawal of affiliation.

Surprise Inspections & Monitoring to Catch Defaulters
CBSE will conduct random inspections to identify students who are registered but not physically attending school. If such students are discovered, they may be barred from writing the board exams.

The responsibility, as per CBSE, lies with not just the student but also the parents and the school authorities who enable this violation.

Disciplinary Action Against Dummy Schools
CBSE has made it clear: Schools that promote the dummy culture risk losing their affiliation. Sponsoring non-attending students for board exams will attract strict disciplinary measures, ensuring no school can bypass the system unmonitored.

Options for Dummy School Students: Consider NIOS
Students who do not meet CBSE’s attendance requirements will have the alternative to appear for board-level exams through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The board is working with NIOS to develop clear guidelines for such students.

This ensures that genuine learners still have a pathway to complete their education, even if they cannot comply with the new attendance norms.

Genuine Exceptions Allowed
CBSE has emphasized that exceptions will still be made in genuine cases, where students are unable to attend due to:

• Medical emergencies
• National or international sports participation
• Other serious or unforeseen personal reasons
• In such cases, the board may grant up to 25% relaxation in attendance upon valid documentation.

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Why Do Students Choose Dummy Schools?
Many aspirants aiming for top-tier colleges opt for dummy schools to dedicate their full time to coaching institutes. Others use this loophole to gain benefits under state-specific quotas or reservation schemes for admission.

However, this practice often results in poor integration with formal schooling and raises questions about a student's overall development and readiness.

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In Conclusion, A Bold Step Towards Academic Integrity
This new rule signals a strong step toward curbing the dummy school culture, reinforcing the importance of regular schooling, and maintaining academic integrity. It also encourages a more balanced approach to education and exam preparation.

CBSE’s decision will impact thousands of students and schools across India, urging them to realign with core educational values.