The Central Board of Secondary Education has revised its norms for opening new schools, introducing changes to minimum land requirements, eligibility criteria, and play area provisions.
The updated guidelines aim to provide greater flexibility based on location while maintaining essential infrastructure standards.
Earlier, CBSE mandated that all schools must have a minimum land area of 6,000 square metres. Under the new framework, schools have been classified into three categories based on the level of affiliation, land availability, and geographic location.
Category A schools can operate up to the Senior Secondary level and must continue to meet the earlier requirement of at least 6,000 square metres of land. These schools can be established anywhere in the country.
Category B schools are permitted to run up to the Secondary or Senior Secondary level. Secondary schools under this category require a minimum land area of 2,400 square metres, while Senior Secondary schools must have at least 3,200 square metres. These schools can be located in Y category cities, state capitals, or hilly areas as notified by the Government of India.
Category C schools have the lowest land requirements. Secondary schools need a minimum of 1,600 square metres, and Senior Secondary schools require 2,400 square metres. These schools must be located in X category cities or in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
CBSE has also updated play area norms. All schools must ensure a minimum play area of 2,000 square metres within the campus. Schools operating under relaxed land norms and having less than 6,000 square metres of total land may arrange access to nearby sports facilities for at least 15 years if the play area is not available on campus.
Such facilities must be within 200 metres of the school, easily and safely accessible, and should not require students to cross highways or major roads with heavy traffic.