CBSE Board Exam: Students enrolled under Dummy Schools NOT ALLOWED to sit for CBSE Class 12 Exams

The CBSE has emphasized that the onus of ensuring regular school attendance lies with the students and their parents. The board clarified that students enrolled in dummy schools, who fail to meet the mandatory attendance requirements, may face severe consequences. Schools promoting such practices will also face action as per the board’s affiliation and examination bye-laws.

In a significant move, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it clear that students not attending regular schools will not be allowed to sit for the Class 12 board examinations. This decision follows the growing concern over the rising trend of students enrolling in “dummy schools” to focus solely on competitive exams like engineering and medical entrance tests.

CBSE’s Ongoing Crackdown on Dummy Schools

The CBSE is considering an amendment to its examination bye-laws to disqualify students attending non-functioning or “dummy schools” from appearing in the Class 12 exams. Instead, such students will be advised to take the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) test. This action comes as part of the CBSE’s crackdown on the proliferation of dummy schools, which allow students to bypass regular schooling and only appear for board exams.

A senior official from the CBSE stated, “In case candidates are found missing from school or are found to be non-attending during surprise inspections, such candidates may not be allowed to appear for the board examination. The responsibility also falls on the concerned student and their parents.”

Role of Parents and Students in Attendance

The CBSE has emphasized that the onus of ensuring regular school attendance lies with the students and their parents. The board clarified that students enrolled in dummy schools, who fail to meet the mandatory attendance requirements, may face severe consequences. Schools promoting such practices will also face action as per the board’s affiliation and examination bye-laws.

New Rule for Academic Session 2025-2026

The issue of dummy schools was discussed at the recent CBSE Governing Board meeting, and it was recommended that the new rule be implemented from the academic session 2025-2026. According to CBSE regulations, students must have at least 75% attendance in order to be eligible for the Class 12 board exams.

An official from CBSE confirmed, “Merely enrolling in a non-attending school does not guarantee permission to sit for the board exams. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirement may be advised to approach NIOS to appear for their exams instead.”

Relaxation in Special Circumstances

While CBSE is taking a firm stance on regular school attendance, there are provisions for relaxation in certain cases. The board offers a 25% attendance relaxation for students who face genuine circumstances, such as medical emergencies, national or international sports events, or other serious situations. However, these exceptions will be strictly monitored.

Disciplinary Action Against Dummy Schools

In addition to taking action against non-attending students, CBSE is contemplating disciplinary measures against schools that encourage or support the “dummy school” culture. This includes referring students for board exams without ensuring they meet the attendance criteria.

The board is also exploring a potential collaboration with NIOS to formalize guidelines regarding students with insufficient attendance, which would be announced in the upcoming academic session.

Why Do Students Choose Dummy Schools?

Many students, particularly those preparing for highly competitive engineering and medical entrance exams, opt to attend dummy schools. These schools allow students to bypass the regular school routine and focus entirely on their exam preparation. However, the practice has raised concerns regarding the quality of education and the long-term consequences for students who do not engage in consistent learning throughout the academic year.

Dummy Schools and State Quotas

A significant motivation for students enrolling in dummy schools is to take advantage of state-specific quotas for medical and engineering college admissions. For instance, students completing their senior secondary education in Delhi are eligible for the Delhi state quota in medical colleges, providing them with an additional incentive to join dummy schools in the capital. This practice has raised questions about fairness and equity in the education system.

Growing Concern Over Dummy Schools

The rise of dummy schools is becoming a growing concern for the CBSE, especially as students focus solely on entrance exams without attending regular classes. The board is committed to addressing the issue by ensuring that students complete the full course of study and participate in regular schooling, maintaining the integrity of the education system.

The CBSE’s new stance aims to preserve the credibility of its examinations and ensure that students gain a well-rounded education, not just focus on appearing for the board exams without attending school.

With the impending changes to the CBSE's regulations, students and parents must take note of the importance of regular school attendance. As the CBSE cracks down on the practice of enrolling in dummy schools, students will need to ensure they meet the attendance criteria to sit for their Class 12 board exams. Those failing to comply may be directed to the NIOS or face other consequences, marking a significant shift in how the board will handle non-attending students in the future.

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