CBSE Introduces New School Grading System and Mandatory APAAR IDs
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is rolling out a major new rating system for schools and making digital IDs mandatory for students. These changes, approved during the Board’s recent governing body meeting in December 2025, aim to improve school standards and simplify student record-keeping.
New A+ to C Grading for Schools
CBSE is moving away from basic self-evaluations to a more rigorous, inspection-led rating system. Schools will now be assessed and classified into four categories—A+, A, B, or C—based on clear quality standards.
This system will first launch as a pilot program in 500 selected schools, including:
- Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs)
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs)
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)
Special inspection teams will evaluate schools across seven key areas, including teaching quality, infrastructure, leadership, and student satisfaction. While currently focused on government-run schools, many experts expect this grading system to expand to private schools in the future.
Mandatory APAAR IDs for Students
Starting with the 2026-27 academic session, the 12-digit APAAR ID (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) will be compulsory for all students registering in Classes 9 and 11.
The APAAR ID acts as a “One Nation, One Student ID,” creating a lifelong digital record of a student’s academic achievements. While CBSE introduced this in 2025, they have now made it a strict requirement to help track academic credits and verify records digitally. Schools are being directed to help parents and students link their data before the next registration cycle.
Stricter Rules for Cheating (Unfair Means)
The Board has also tightened its regulations regarding “Unfair Means” (UFM). From 2026 onwards:
- If a student is caught cheating in a specific subject, that paper will be cancelled immediately.
- The student will no longer be allowed to simply replace that subject with an elective to pass.
- Instead, they will be placed in the “Compartment” category and must re-take the exam for that specific subject.
New Opportunities and Research
In addition to these structural changes, CBSE announced several new initiatives:
- Culinary Championship: A new “Annual Young Culinary Championship” will launch by December 2026 for students in Classes 6 to 12.
- RTE Impact Study: CBSE will partner with an NGO to study how the Right to Education (RTE) Act is affecting students in affiliated schools, focusing on inclusive education.
- Global Curriculum: A new sub-committee has been formed to align CBSE standards with international education benchmarks.
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