New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced major revisions to its school affiliation by-laws, significantly easing land requirements for institutions across the country.

Previously, schools applying for CBSE affiliation were required to have a minimum land area of 6,000 square metres. Under the revised framework, the board has introduced a graded, location-based system, aligning land norms with geographical conditions and the level of education offered.

According to the new guidelines, schools situated in state capital cities, hill regions identified by NITI Aayog, and urban areas that permit higher Floor Area Ratio (FAR) or Floor Space Index (FSI) can now seek affiliation with considerably lower land requirements. Secondary schools in these regions must have at least 1,600 square metres, while senior secondary schools require a minimum of 2,400 square metres. Earlier norms mandated 3,200 square metres within municipal limits and 4,000 square metres outside city limits.

The revised policy categorises schools into three groups — Category A, applicable across the country; Category B, covering urban and land-constrained regions; and Category C, designated for schools in smaller towns.

Despite the relaxation in land norms, CBSE has made it compulsory for all schools to provide a playground of at least 2,000 square metres. Ideally, the play area should be located within the school campus. However, institutions facing space constraints may enter into a 15-year lease or formal agreement to use a nearby playground, stadium, or public park.

Such facilities must be located within 200 metres of the school premises, and students should not be required to cross highways or high-traffic roads to reach them.

The board has further linked the number of permissible sections to the school’s total built-up area and has mandated strict compliance with state or Union Territory building regulations or the Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016.

The amendments were officially notified on January 19, 2026, revising Clauses 3.3 to 3.7 of Chapter 3 (Land Requirement) of the Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018. The changes were recommended by the board’s affiliation committee and subsequently approved by the governing body and controlling authority during meetings held in November and December 2025. DeshGujarat