In a major policy shift that is likely to benefit thousands of schools, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has amended its affiliation bye laws, delinking the construction of additional classes or sections from the size of land available to schools.

Instead, the focus will now be on the total built-up carpet area of the school building. This change allows institutions to expand their academic infrastructure without the constraint of acquiring additional land — a move that has been welcomed by schools in densely populated urban areas where land is scarce and expensive.

Why Was the Policy Changed?

Earlier, CBSE rules mandated that the number of sections a school could operate depended primarily on the total land area available. This posed a challenge for many schools, especially those located in cities or semi-urban regions, where expansion of land holdings is either financially or logistically impossible.

CBSE officials explained that this approach was restrictive and did not align with modern construction methods or urban planning realities. With advancements in vertical construction, architectural planning, and space optimisation, schools now have the potential to build more on the same land footprint.

New Metrics: Built-Up Carpet Area and FAR

The CBSE has clarified that the revised policy links classroom expansion to:

• Built-up carpet area: The usable area within the school structure.

• Floor Area Ratio (FAR): The ratio of a building's total usable floor area to the size of the plot on which it is built.

By basing expansion on these parameters, the CBSE aims to encourage vertical development and make better use of existing infrastructure.

Example Provided by CBSE:
Under the old policy, a school with 4,000 square metres of land could only build 28 sections.
Under the new rule, a school with a 6,000 square metre built-up area can now create up to 45 sections, regardless of land size.

Who Benefits?

This structural shift in policy is particularly favourable for schools in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, where land costs and space availability are constant hurdles.

Many schools in these cities were previously unable to expand their student intake or open new sections, despite having unutilised vertical space or building permissions for multiple floors.

Impact on School Infrastructure Planning

With this decision, CBSE expects:

• Better space utilisation by schools

• More flexibility in academic expansion plans

• A smoother affiliation process for schools looking to grow

• Boost in education access in crowded or overpopulated zones

Urban planners and school architects can now focus on maximising existing space rather than scouting for additional land.

Urban and Rural Considerations

While the move is mainly aimed at easing urban school infrastructure bottlenecks, it may also help semi-urban and tier-2 city schools expand more affordably.
On the other hand, rural schools with abundant land may not see a direct benefit, but it unifies expansion rules under more practical parameters.

Reactions From School Administrators

Several private school owners and educational institutions have expressed relief over the change.

“This is a progressive reform. Earlier, our inability to acquire more land put a cap on our growth. Now we can actually use our vertical space wisely,” said a principal of a CBSE-affiliated school in South Delhi.

Educational consultants have also praised the policy, saying it aligns with international infrastructure benchmarks, where space planning and safety take precedence over mere land metrics.

Concerns and Regulatory Checks

While the new norms are designed for greater flexibility, CBSE has maintained that schools must continue to adhere to safety, ventilation, sanitation, and structural stability standards.

All additions to infrastructure will still require:

• Approval of building plans by local civic authorities

• Structural safety certificates

• Fire safety clearance

• Regular inspection compliance

The board is expected to issue further guidelines to prevent misuse of vertical expansion at the cost of student safety or quality of facilities.

Implications for Affiliation and Renewal

For schools seeking fresh affiliation or upgrades, the new rules will be applicable immediately, as per CBSE sources. The online application portal has also been updated to reflect the new built-up area criteria.

Existing affiliated schools seeking to expand their sections will now be evaluated based on the revised norms, provided they submit up-to-date building plans and area certifications.

Long-Term Educational Outlook

The amendment is a step towards modernising the infrastructure policy of the CBSE to align with the realities of Indian urban education.

It encourages institutions to focus on building upward, not outward, and facilitates inclusive education by enabling more students to access quality schooling in crowded urban centres.

With nearly 27,000 CBSE-affiliated schools across India, the cumulative impact of this reform could be substantial, especially in the upcoming academic year.

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