- CBSE is now headed by Chairperson Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, IAS, appointed in June 2026
- The board recorded 29,179 affiliated schools in 2024 and operates 16 regional offices across India
- From 2026, Class 10 students sit two board examinations in one academic year, with CBSE counting the better score.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of India's largest national school boards. It frames the curriculum, sets the syllabus and marking schemes, and conducts the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. For a school to teach this curriculum and send its students for these exams, it must first obtain CBSE affiliation. This guide explains what affiliation is, how schools apply, the eligibility norms, and the key changes for 2026.
What Is CBSE Affiliation?
CBSE affiliation is the formal recognition the Central Board of Secondary Education grants to a school, allowing it to follow the CBSE curriculum and enter students for the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations. Schools apply online through the board's affiliation portal and must meet defined infrastructure, staffing and academic standards.
Affiliation is granted only after a school proves it meets CBSE norms on land, building, teaching staff, laboratories and safety. Both private and government schools can apply, and all Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas follow the CBSE pattern. Affiliation is not permanent at the outset; it is first given provisionally and then reviewed and extended over time.
CBSE Class 10: Syllabus and Exam GuideRead →How Can a School Get CBSE Affiliation?
To obtain CBSE affiliation, a school first secures a no-objection certificate from its state government, registers on the online affiliation portal, and submits documents covering land, building, staff and finances. CBSE then inspects the school before granting provisional affiliation, which is later extended or made regular on review.
The affiliation process is fully online through the board's official affiliation portal. The broad steps a school follows are listed below.
- Register the school on the CBSE online affiliation portal and create a login.
- Obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the State or Union Territory government.
- Upload mandatory documents on land ownership, building safety, staff qualifications and audited accounts.
- Pay the prescribed affiliation fee online.
- Undergo inspection by a CBSE-appointed committee that verifies infrastructure and records.
- Receive provisional affiliation, which is later extended or upgraded after periodic review.
Which Types of CBSE Affiliation Are There?
CBSE grants affiliation at different levels: middle class syllabus up to Class 8, secondary up to Class 10, and senior secondary up to Class 12. The board first gives provisional affiliation for a fixed period, which it later extends or upgrades once the school keeps meeting its norms and inspection requirements.
- Middle Class Syllabus: schools teaching up to Class 8 under the CBSE pattern.
- Secondary: schools authorised to present students for the Class 10 board examination.
- Senior Secondary: schools authorised to present students for the Class 12 board examination.
- Provisional versus Regular: affiliation begins provisionally and becomes regular after satisfactory review and continued compliance.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for CBSE Affiliation?
A school seeking CBSE affiliation must be run by a registered society or trust, hold a state no-objection certificate, own adequate land and built-up area, employ qualified teachers, and maintain proper laboratories, library and safety facilities. It must also follow CBSE norms on fees, salaries and the prescribed curriculum.
- Managed by a registered society, trust or company not run for profit.
- Valid no-objection certificate from the State or Union Territory government.
- Sufficient land and built-up area as per CBSE infrastructure norms.
- Qualified and adequately paid teaching staff with the prescribed pupil-teacher ratio.
- Functional science laboratories, a library, and fire and building safety certificates.
How Many Schools Are Affiliated to CBSE?
CBSE is one of India's largest school boards. Records show 29,179 affiliated schools in 2024, including more than 27,000 across India and around 240 schools in 28 foreign countries. The board, constituted in its present form in 1962, is headquartered in New Delhi and runs 16 regional offices nationwide.
CBSE was constituted in its present form in 1962 and has its headquarters in New Delhi, with English and Hindi as its official mediums. As of June 2026 the board is headed by Chairperson Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, an IAS officer. Its 16 regional offices manage affiliation and examinations across the country.
| CBSE at a Glance (2026) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Constituted (present form) | 1962, headquartered in New Delhi |
| Affiliated schools | 29,179 (2024); 27,000-plus in India and around 240 abroad |
| Regional offices | 16 across India |
| Chairperson | Lokhande Prashant Sitaram, IAS (since June 2026) |
| Class 10 board exams 2026 | Two exams: 17 February to 11 March, and 15 to 21 May |
What Changes in CBSE Board Exams From 2026?
From 2026, CBSE conducts two board examinations for Class 10 within the same academic year. The first phase ran from February 17 to March 11, 2026, and the second from May 15 to 21, 2026. The board keeps the better of the two scores, aligning with National Education Policy 2020 reforms.
The two-exam system gives Class 10 students a second chance to improve their marks without losing a full year. Appearing in the second phase is optional, and a student may attempt up to three subjects. The standard passing requirement remains 33 percent in each subject, including practical and theory components. The Class 12 examination continues as a single annual exam.