CBSE's BIG Warning: Class 12 Students Enrolled in ‘Dummy Schools’ Likely to be Barred From Board Exams

CBSE students who do not attend regular schools will be barred from appearing in the Class 12 board exams, officials have stated. They also said that the responsibility for enrolling in “dummy schools” falls on students and their parents. 

As part of its ongoing crackdown on dummy schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering amending its examination by-laws. Under the proposed changes, students from dummy schools will not be allowed to sit for board exams and will instead have to take the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) test. 

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"If students are found absent from school or not attending classes during surprise inspections by the board, they may be barred from appearing in the board exams," a senior CBSE official stated, as per media reports. 

The official further added that strict action will be taken against schools that encourage the “dummy school” practice or sponsor non-attending students, under the board’s affiliation and examination by-laws. 

CBSE to Enforce 75% Attendance Rule for Board Exams from 2025-26:

The matter was recently discussed in the CBSE Governing Board Meeting, where it was recommended that the new rule be enforced from the 2025-2026 academic session. 

A senior official stated, "During the examination committee meeting, it was concluded that, as per CBSE regulations, students must have at least 75 percent attendance to be eligible for board exams. Simply enrolling in a non-attending school will not make students eligible to appear for the CBSE exams if they do not meet the attendance criteria." 

He further added, "Students who do not qualify under CBSE's attendance policy may opt to appear for exams through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). The board allows a 25 percent attendance relaxation only in exceptional cases, such as medical emergencies, participation in national or international sports events, or other serious circumstances." 

The board is considering disqualifying students who fail to meet the required attendance criteria. Additionally, schools recommending such students for board exams may face disciplinary action. 

"It was also decided that CBSE may collaborate with NIOS on this proposal and draft guidelines to be implemented in the next academic session," the official stated. 

Many students preparing for engineering and medical entrance exams enrol in dummy schools to focus entirely on competitive exam preparation. They skip regular classes and appear directly for board exams. 

Rise in Dummy Schools Sparks Concern Over State Quota Admissions: 

Many students opt for dummy schools to benefit from state-specific quotas for medical and engineering college admissions. For instance, completing senior secondary education in Delhi makes candidates eligible for the Delhi state quota in medical colleges, encouraging them to enrol in dummy schools in the capital. 

The increasing number of dummy schools is a growing concern, especially among students preparing for competitive engineering and medical entrance exams. These schools allow students to skip regular classes and focus solely on their exam preparation, attending only for the board examinations. 

(With Inputs from PTI)

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