The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially announced key amendments to Appendix-V under Chapter 3 of its Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018. These changes are designed to address the challenges schools face in urban and semi-urban areas where land availability is limited and demand for admissions continues to grow.
The new rules, approved by the Affiliation Committee and ratified by the Governing Body and Controlling Authority, will apply to all existing and newly affiliated CBSE schools.
Key Amendments at a Glance:
- Section Limits Based on Built-up Carpet Area:
- The maximum number of sections will now depend on the total built-up carpet area of the school building—not land size.
- This built-up area must be certified by a local body or licensed architect.
- Land Area Usage Re-defined:
- Land area will now only determine the category of school (e.g., Branch, Middle, Secondary, Senior Secondary) as per Chapter 3, not section limits.
- Equal Sections Across Secondary & Senior Secondary Levels:
- Schools must maintain equal number of sections in Classes IX & X and Classes XI & XII.
- 1/4th Rule for Higher Classes:
- The number of sections in Classes IX to XII will be restricted to 1/4th of the total sections running from Balvatika to Class X or XII, rounded up to the next even number.
Why These Changes Matter:
These changes are based on school feedback and legal inputs, including a Supreme Court order dated 12.02.2025, which highlighted the need for building compliance under Model Building Bye-Laws (MBBL) 2016. The Board acknowledged the impact of strict land norms on school growth, student well-being, and NEP 2020 implementation.
This update helps reduce:
- Student commute time and stress
- Overcrowded classrooms due to section limits
- Delays in school expansion despite infrastructure availability
📌 Note: The full details and chart of section eligibility based on built-up area can be found in the official circular below.
