CBSE Partially Reverses Neerja Modi School Affiliation Withdrawal
In a significant development, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has modified its earlier decision to completely withdraw the affiliation of Jaipur's Neerja Modi School up to the senior secondary level. The board has now restored the school's affiliation for classes 9 and 10, while maintaining the withdrawal of Class 11 and 12 affiliation for a period of two years.
Specific Conditions and Student Protections
The CBSE order, dated February 23, specifies that current Class 11 students who will be promoted to Class 12 from April 1, 2026, "will not be shifted and continue from the same school to appear for the Board examination 2027." This provision ensures continuity for affected senior students during this transitional period.
However, the board has imposed strict restrictions on the school's operations. The institution is barred from taking new admissions or promoting any students to Class 11 for the upcoming academic session until senior secondary affiliation is fully restored. Students currently registered in Class 9 "shall not be shifted to other schools," according to the modified order.
Timeline for Full Restoration
CBSE clarified that affiliation for Classes 11 and 12 "shall remain withdrawn for a period of two years" and the school can only apply for restoration of senior secondary level affiliation after completing two academic years (2026-27 and 2027-28). This creates a clear pathway for potential full reinstatement while maintaining accountability measures.
Background and Board Reasoning
The board's action follows the tragic death of a 9-year-old student and subsequent scrutiny of the school's compliance with CBSE affiliation bylaws. During a personal hearing on February 16, the school management reportedly "admitted the lapses and the violations and sought an apology for the incident."
CBSE noted in its order that the school has more than 5,000 students from lower classes to secondary level, and complete withdrawal would severely affect students, teachers, and parents. The board stated: "However, this is the established principle that no wrong to the law will go without being addressed when there are violations of the statutory provisions of the affiliation Bye Laws of the Board... The established violations, though severe in nature, but looking into the studies of the students in lower and upper primary classes, the order dated Dec 30, 2025 is modified..."
Additional Administrative Decisions
For Classes 1 to 8, CBSE has left it to the Rajasthan state government to decide whether to continue the school's recognition, creating a shared oversight responsibility between national and state education authorities.
Parental Response and Interpretation
Vijay Meena, father of 9-year-old Amaira, commented on the decision: "It is clear from the order that this has been done keeping in mind the future of students studying in class 9 and 11 at present in the school. This is only to give relief to parents and students of these classes, and not a clean chit to the school. The order clearly states that there were lapses and violations at the school's end."
This partial restoration represents a balanced approach by CBSE, addressing compliance failures while minimizing disruption to current students' education. The two-year withdrawal period for senior secondary classes serves as both a corrective measure and a warning to educational institutions about maintaining safety and regulatory standards.
