Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to implement a new inspection-driven rating system for centrally managed schools, including Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
In its capacity as the School Standards Authority (SSA), CBSE launched the School Quality Assessment and Assurance (SQAA) framework in 2013 to enhance accountability and institutional benchmarks.
SQAA framework for school evaluation
As of 2023, it has mandated an annual self-evaluation under SQAA for all affiliated schools across seven domains, which encompass curriculum and evaluation, infrastructure, human resources, inclusivity, governance, leadership, and satisfaction of beneficiaries. Completion of this self-assessment on the SQAA portal is now essential for processing new affiliation, advancement, extension, and related applications.
These institutions will be assessed and classified as A+, A, B, or C according to established quality standards, representing a departure from the previous model that primarily relied on compliance-based self-evaluation. This decision was made during the Board's 142nd Governing Body meeting held in December 2025, with the minutes released to the public on Monday.
Compulsory APAAR-ID integration
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that the 12-digit automated permanent academic account registry (APAAR) ID will be compulsory for registration in classes 9 and 11 starting from the forthcoming 2026-27 academic session.
CBSE initially rolled out the APAAR-ID integration for the enrollment of class 9 and 11 students during the 2025-26 academic year. However, in September 2025, the board eased the requirements after schools raised concerns about documentation inconsistencies, issues with parental approval, and technical integration challenges. Currently, around 50% of the data for class 9 and 11 learners nationwide is associated with APAAR ID.
Stricter unfair means regulations & RTE Act implementation
Additionally, the Governing Body has approved significant proposals, such as the initiation of an 'Annual Young Culinary Championship' for students in Classes 6 to 12 by December 2026; the enforcement of stricter Unfair Means (UFM) regulations; and the collaboration with an NGO to evaluate the impact of the RTE Act in affiliated schools.
Also Read: CBSE Board Issues Strict Warning Against Counterfeit And paper Leak Rumours Prior To Board Exams
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