Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced new affiliation rules allowing already affiliated schools to establish ‘Branch Schools’ for classes from Bal Vatika to Class V. The initiative, formalised under the Affiliation Bye-Laws (Branch School) – 2025, enables existing CBSE-affiliated schools to set up independent primary branches while remaining under the governance of the same managing body as reported by ANI.
Key Features of the Branch School Initiative
Under the new guidelines, schools affiliated with CBSE—referred to as ‘Main Schools’—can establish ‘Branch Schools’ under the same affiliation number, name, and management. These Branch Schools will be dedicated to early childhood and primary education, operating independently with their own infrastructure, teaching staff, and support personnel. However, they will continue to be managed by the same society, trust, or Section-8 company that oversees the Main School.
The Affiliation Bye-Laws (Branch School) – 2025 have been approved by CBSE’s Governing Body, the highest decision-making authority within the board, as well as the CBSE Controlling Authority. The framework was developed based on recommendations by the Affiliation Committee, which met on November 29, 2024, and December 26, 2024, according to ANI reports.
Structural and Administrative Guidelines
CBSE has laid out specific structural and administrative guidelines to ensure uniformity and quality across Main and Branch Schools:
- Location Constraints: A Branch School must be situated within the municipal limits of the same city as the Main School.
- Administrative Continuity: While both institutions will share the same academic and administrative practices, they must maintain separate regulatory documents, including Recognition, UDISE+, Land Certificate, Fire Safety Certificate, Building Safety Certificate, and Water and Sanitation Certificate.
- Admission Process: Admissions to the Branch School will be managed by the Main School, facilitating a seamless transition for students advancing from Class V in the Branch School to Class VI in the Main School without being classified as new admissions.
- Staffing Requirements: Both the Main School and Branch School will have separate principals or headmasters, distinct teaching faculty, and ancillary staff. However, salary disbursements and financial records will be maintained by the Main School.
- Mandatory Student Support Services: Each Branch School is required to appoint a Special Educator, as per the qualifications set by the Rehabilitation Council of India, along with a dedicated Counsellor and Wellness Teacher specializing in psychology, child development, or career guidance.
Infrastructure and Land Requirements
To maintain standardized infrastructure quality, CBSE has defined specific land area requirements for Branch Schools:
- A minimum contiguous land area of 1,200 square meters is required to establish a Branch School.
- Schools with a land area of 1,600 square meters or more will be permitted to operate additional sections, as per specifications outlined in Appendix V of the Affiliation Bye-Laws-2018.
Implementation Timeline and Application Process
CBSE has announced that applications for establishing Branch Schools will be accepted from the academic session 2026-27 onwards through the SARAS 6.0 Portal. Schools interested in expanding their primary education offerings must comply with the stipulated guidelines to ensure a smooth approval process.
(With inputs from ANI)