CBSE revises affiliation norms, linking section expansion to built-up area instead of land size. Move aims to ease admissions, reduce commutes, and align with NEP 2020.
In an effort to tackle space crunches amid rising demand for school admissions, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revised its affiliation guidelines, allowing section expansion to be linked with built-up carpet area instead of overall land size.
The decision follows consistent feedback from schools that found it difficult to add sections beyond the existing limit, despite a clear demand for new admissions. CBSE, in its circular, highlighted that a shortage of seats in neighbourhood schools often forces children to travel long distances, which adversely impacts their health, psychological well-being, and sense of belonging.
Officials and principals believe the reform will help reduce admission pressure, shorten student commutes, and bring CBSE schools closer to the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes equitable access and neighbourhood schooling.
The changes, announced in a circular issued on Thursday, apply to both existing and newly affiliated schools, except those located abroad.
Previously, the number of sections permitted in a school was tied to its total land area, a rule that often restricted expansion in crowded urban centres. Under the revised norms, schools will now be able to add three additional sections for every 400 square metres of built-up space over and above the base requirement.
While the earlier affiliation rules focused solely on total land size—irrespective of how much was actually constructed—the new framework emphasises the built-up carpet area, or the real, usable academic space. Another important change concerns senior classes: earlier, the number of sections in Classes 11 and 12 together was capped at one-third of the total. Now, the cap applies separately to Classes 9, 10, 11, and 12, with each permitted up to one-fourth of the total number of sections from Balvatika to Class 10 or 12. The figure is rounded up to the next even number and distributed evenly across the two classes at each level. Land area will now only be used to determine whether a school qualifies as a branch, middle, secondary, or senior secondary institution.
Despite this shift, the board has retained the ceiling of 40 students per section, ensuring that class sizes remain manageable and infrastructure is not overstretched.
The reforms also insist on infrastructure safeguards. Schools must get their built-up areas certified by local authorities or licensed architects and provide essential facilities such as libraries, laboratories, and activity rooms for every set of 48 sections. “The number of sections and students shall be limited to the facilities available,” the circular states, adding that for every 400 square metres of built-up carpet area, schools may add three more sections, but will also have to create extra facilities like labs, libraries, or indoor game rooms once they cross 48 sections.
Principals have welcomed the step. Sudha Acharya, principal of ITL Public School, Dwarka, noted, “We were often forced to turn away students because of the section cap and the 40-student classroom limit. This change is positive—it will let schools open more sections and admit more children.”
The policy shift is based on inputs from stakeholders and a CBSE-appointed committee and was cleared by the board’s governing body in June 2025. It also aligns with a Supreme Court ruling from February 2025 that emphasised adherence to the Model Building Bye-Laws (MBBL) 2016 for school infrastructure.
“We received representations from over 1,500 schools nationwide,” CBSE secretary Himanshu Gupta told HT. “A committee was formed, and based on its recommendations, we have eased the restrictions. Earlier, even school building height was capped, but now it will depend on local by-laws. This means schools can expand vertically, add floors, create new sections, and admit more students as needed.”
As per CBSE’s website, the board currently has 30,984 affiliated schools.
This move follows other recent steps aimed at addressing space shortages. Last week, CBSE allowed schools to increase class strength to 45 students in exceptional situations, such as mid-session transfers or repeat admissions. Earlier, in February, the board introduced rules enabling already affiliated schools to set up “branch schools” for classes from Balvatika to Class 5 within the same city, starting 2026-27.
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