CBSE Enforces Strict 45-Student Limit Per Section, No More Relaxations

CBSE: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made a strong directive stating that no school affiliated with CBSE can have more than 45 students in any class from Classes I to XII. This is the end of all previous flexibility, where the schools had the option to go above this number under special conditions.

CBSE previously allowed exceptions to the 45-student ceiling in exceptional situations like mid-session admissions, students repeating a class (Essential Repeat), medical grounds, change from hostel to day scholar or vice versa, or readmissions for improvement in studies. But the recent circular takes away all such concessions. The 45-student ceiling is now rigid and inescapable in any circumstance.

Earlier, schools used to make requests to the regional CBSE office for such exceptions, ensuring proper records on portals such as OASIS and SARAS. Under the new policy, any admissions above 40 students need to be well documented and in strict accordance with policy provisions, but no case is allowed above the 45-student limit.

CBSE has also reaffirmed the infrastructure needs: more than 40-student classrooms should be given a minimum of 500 square feet area so that each student has a minimum of one square metre, as laid down under Clause 4.8 of the 2018 Affiliation Bye-Laws. Schools are urged to replace existing facilities or add more classrooms so that they return slowly to the optimal figure of 40 students per section.

The board specified that the earlier relaxation was ad hoc, only until the 2025–26 academic session. The school management is now asked to adhere strictly to the revised norms, and CBSE has threatened to initiate action on inspection if they detect transgressions. The overall aim is to renew the standard pupil-teacher ratio for improved academic performance and classroom control.