The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has reiterated a strict mandate requiring all Class 10 and 12 students to maintain a minimum of 75% attendance during the 2025–26 academic session to be eligible for the 2026 board examinations. The directive, issued via an official circular dated August 4, follows continued reports of lax compliance and underscores the board’s commitment to academic discipline.
Mandatory attendance to curb dummy candidates
Citing Rule 13 and 14 of the CBSE Examination Bye-Laws, the board has warned that students falling short of the 75% threshold will be barred from appearing in the board exams unless they qualify for specific exemptions. These include medical emergencies, bereavement, or participation in recognised national or international sporting events—provided all supporting documentation is furnished.CBSE stressed that it will not tolerate discrepancies in attendance records and hinted at strong measures against misuse or manipulation of attendance data. “Leave without a written request will be considered unauthorised absence from the school,” the circular reads
Stringent documentation and parental accountability
In a detailed operational directive, schools have been asked to notify both students and parents at the beginning of the session about attendance norms and the grave consequences of non-compliance. Schools are also mandated to warn parents in writing—through registered post or email—if a student’s attendance falls below required levels.Medical leave applications must be accompanied by certificates from government-recognised doctors, and in cases of other serious reasons, documentary proof such as death certificates or official notices are compulsory. All such documentation must be submitted immediately after the leave is availed.“Attendance will be calculated as of January 1, and schools must submit condonation cases to the CBSE by January 7,” the board stated. Any submissions beyond this deadline will be summarily rejected.
Schools under the scanner
To ensure compliance, CBSE has authorised surprise inspections across its affiliated schools. During these checks, if attendance records are found incomplete or manipulated, the board may initiate strict disciplinary action, including possible disaffiliation of the school and disqualification of students from appearing in the board exams.All attendance registers must be updated daily, signed by the class teacher and school head, and made available for inspection. Schools have been instructed to preserve a record of all communications with parents and to use the standard proforma and SOPs provided by CBSE when forwarding cases of attendance shortage.
No room for manipulation
CBSE made it unequivocally clear that once the shortage of attendance cases is submitted, no revisions will be entertained, even if schools later claim students met the required attendance. “Such communication will be considered manipulation, and attendance status will not be changed,” the circular warned.The board concluded by underlining that regular attendance is not merely a bureaucratic requirement but a cornerstone of cultivating discipline and accountability among students.For compliance, schools are advised to:
- Disseminate attendance rules early in the academic session.
- Sensitize parents and students to the repercussions of non-compliance.
- Monitor attendance daily and maintain accurate records.
- Submit the shortage of attendance cases strictly within the prescribed timeline.
CBSE’s message is clear: Academic integrity begins with the basics, and attendance is non-negotiable.Candidates can click on the link provided here to download the official notice.
