CBSE School Change Rules 2026: Procedure of Changing Schools

CBSE School Change Rules - General Eligibility Criteria for Admissions

A student looking to change school under CBSE board must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

CBSE School Change Policy - Eligibility Criteria

• Recognised Institution: The student must have been studying in a school recognised by the CBSE or another recognised Board of Secondary Education in India.

• Qualifying Examination: The student must have passed the qualifying examination or an equivalent exam that makes them eligible for admission to the intended class.

• Age Limits: The student must satisfy the age limits set by the State/Union Territory government where the school is located.

Important Documents Required for CBSE School Change Process

• School Leaving Certificate/Transfer Certificate, signed by the head of the previous institution and countersigned if required.

• Document(s) in support of his having passed the qualifying or equivalent qualifying examination

• A Date of Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths.

CBSE School Change Rules for Classes 1 to 12

The CBSE School change rules for admission to Classes 1 to 12 have been mentioned below. Students seeking admission should fulfil the following criteria:

CBSE School Change Admission Rules in Classes 1 to 8

• Admissions up to Class 8th are governed by the rules and regulations of the State or Union Territory where the school is located. Schools must adhere to these local regulations for admissions.

CBSE School Change Admission SOP for Class 9

• Admission to Class 9 is open to students who have passed the Class 8 examination from a school affiliated with CBSE, any recognised Board, or an institution recognised by the State/U.T. Government.

CBSE School Change SOPs for Admission to Class 10

• The CBSE Class 10 syllabus is a two-year integrated course. Therefore, direct admission to Class 10 is not allowed.

• Eligibility:

1. The student must have completed a regular course of study for Class 9.

2. The student must have passed the Class 9 examination from a CBSE-affiliated institution.

3. Students from other recognised Boards can be admitted to Class 10 only if their parents or families have transferred or relocated. The Transfer Certificate must be duly countersigned by the educational authorities of the concerned Board.

CBSE School Changing SOP for Admission to Class 11

• Admission to Class 11 is available to students who have passed:

1. The CBSE Secondary School Examination (Class 10).

2. An equivalent examination from any other recognised Board of Secondary Education or Indian University recognised by CBSE.

CBSE School Changing SOP for Admission to Class 12

• Direct admission to Class 12 is not permitted.

• Eligibility:

1. The student must have completed a regular course of study for Class 11.

2. The student must have passed the Class 11 examination from a CBSE-affiliated school.

3. Students from other recognised Boards can be admitted to Class 12 only under circumstances such as the transfer of parents or relocation of families, with proper documentation and countersigned certificates. Schools must seek post facto approval from CBSE within one month of admission.

CBSE School Change Due to Transfer and Migration of Students

• Inter-School Transfers - Students seeking to transfer from one CBSE-affiliated school to another during an academic session need to follow a structured process. The transfer certificate from the previous school is mandatory, and in special cases, such as mid-session transfers, the CBSE Chairman’s approval may be required.

• Migration from Non-CBSE Schools - Students migrating from non-CBSE schools, particularly those outside India, must provide an eligibility certificate from CBSE. This certificate is issued after verifying that the student's previous course of study is equivalent to the CBSE curriculum.

• Post-Facto Approval - In cases where a student is admitted mid-session due to special circumstances like parental transfer, the school must seek post-facto approval from the CBSE within one month of the student's admission.

Guidelines for Admission to Classes 10 and 12 (Under Special Conditions)

• Some students may want to switch schools while studying in Class 10 or 12, they can do so under some circumstances which have been mentioned by the CBSE board. They need to also follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as specified by the board.

• Students can be admitted to Class 10 or 12 because of transfer of parents, on medical grounds, seeking better education, shifting of family, shifting to/from hostel, re-admission cases due to being declared fail, not appeared in exam and improvement/compartment students.

• To streamline the process of admission in Class 10 and 12th, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) can be checked by clicking on the link provided.

Guidelines for Admission to Classes 9 and 11 (Under Special Conditions)

Many students also change their school while studying in Class 9 or 11 based on various situations they may encounter during their academic session. For such instances, candidates are required to check the CBSE date sheet 2026 to know about the exam dates so that they can plan their admission accordingly. Under such conditions, CBSE has laid down several guidelines for admissions which are mentioned below:

1. Transfer of Parents

Many students may need to shift their school due to the transfer of their parents. In such a situation parents have to submit a written request, a report card of the child’s previous class, a transfer certificate from the previous school, a copy of the official transfer order letter, and a local residence address as per the office record.

2. Re-Admission due to Failed in Class 9 to 11

Students who want re-admission due to failing in Class 9 or 11th will require certain documents to be submitted. The documents required for changing schools include a request from the parent, a copy of the report card, the transfer certificate from the previous school, and the reasons for changing school, supported by documentary evidence.

3. Medical Ground

The documents required for changing schools on medical grounds include a request from the parent, the report card from the previous class, the transfer certificate from the previous school, an undertaking by the parent detailing the distance (in kilometres) from the residence to both the old and new schools, and a medical certificate from a government hospital.

4. Shifting Due to Non-Availability of Subjects in Class 11

For shifting school due to the non-availability of subjects in Class 11, admission will be granted by the schools based on their rules, regulations and other guidelines. No permission is required from the CBSE board. However, all such admissions must comply with the Examination and Affiliation Bye-Laws of the CBSE board.

CBSE School Change Admission Rules for Foreign Students

• Students migrating from schools in foreign countries, except those affiliated with CBSE, must obtain an eligibility certificate from the CBSE Board. The principal of the school where admission is sought must submit the student's details and relevant documents to the Board.

• The eligibility certificate will be issued only if the Board is satisfied that the foreign school's curriculum and examinations are equivalent to those of CBSE.