The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a landmark decision to bar students enrolled in dummy schools from appearing for Class 12 board exams starting in the 2025-26 academic session. Instead, such students must take their exams through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
This move is expected to significantly impact Kota, India’s coaching hub, where thousands of students enroll in dummy schools to focus solely on JEE and NEET preparations. These schools exist only on paper, allowing students to bypass regular schooling while attending intensive coaching.
CBSE’s governing body approved the decision following concerns over declining student attendance and compliance with examination regulations. The board emphasized that 75% attendance is mandatory for board exam eligibility, with only limited exemptions for medical emergencies or sports participation. Schools found promoting the dummy culture will face strict disciplinary action, including loss of affiliation.
The Delhi High Court has also condemned dummy schools, calling them a “fraud” and urging authorities to take action. In recent months, CBSE has already withdrawn affiliation from several schools in Rajasthan and Delhi for violating attendance norms.
While the decision aims to restore the integrity of regular schooling, students and coaching institutes are worried about its impact. Many argue that the current school curriculum does not align with competitive exam preparation, making it challenging to balance both. Parents, too, are concerned about the sudden policy shift affecting students already enrolled in dummy schools.
This crackdown highlights the need for a structured education system that blends school learning with competitive exam preparation, ensuring students receive holistic development while pursuing their career goals.
