Last Updated:
CBSE has capped school sections based on built-up area and updated infrastructure norms to curb overcrowding and align with NEP 2020 implementation.
CBSE caps number of school sections based on built-up area; updates infrastructure norms to curb overcrowding. (Representative/File)
In a major move aimed at addressing overcrowding and ensuring quality education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised its affiliation bye-laws, capping the number of sections a school can run based on its built-up area. The changes, effective immediately, are applicable to all existing and newly affiliated schools under the Board.
The amendments, outlined in a circular dated July 31, 2025, have been made to Appendix-V under Chapter 3 of the CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws-2018. The Board cited concerns over the increasing number of students per school section and the resulting strain on infrastructure, learning spaces, and students’ well-being.
The revised guidelines aim to curb overcrowding in schools, noting that students often spend long hours in cramped classrooms with limited access to open spaces or extracurricular facilities. “This is leading to inhibition in the organic growth of schools and implementation of NEP 2020,” the circular stated.
Key Highlights of the New Guidelines:
-
Maximum Sections Linked to Built-Up Area: The number of sections permitted from Bal Vatika to Class XII will now be strictly based on the total built-up carpet area of the school building. A table in the circular lists permissible sections for built-up areas ranging from 1,000 to 6,200 sq. metres. For example, a school with 4,000 sq. m. can run a maximum of 33 sections.
-
Section Limits at Secondary Level: At the senior secondary level (classes XI and XII), the number of sections will be limited to one-fourteenth of the total number of sections from Bal Vatika to Class X. If the number of sections doesn’t divide evenly, it will be rounded up to the next even number with equal sections in classes XI and XII.
-
Revised Infrastructure Norms: The Board has also updated the minimum infrastructure requirements for schools with up to 48 sections. These include mandatory lab sizes for science subjects, libraries, infirmaries, and multipurpose halls, among others. Additional infrastructure will be needed for schools running more than 48 sections.
-
Compliance with Safety Norms: Following a Supreme Court order, CBSE has reiterated that all nursery and elementary sections should be housed in buildings that comply with the Model Building Bye-Laws (MBBL) 2016. Fire escapes and staircases must also follow local safety norms.
The Board said the changes are based on feedback from stakeholders and a review committee that studied implementation issues of the existing bye-laws. The committee’s recommendations were ratified by CBSE’s Governing Body in May 2025.
The notification further clarifies that these amendments will not apply to foreign schools affiliated with CBSE or schools offering regular category affiliation.
Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including high-…Read More
Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including high-… Read More
view comments
- First Published:
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
