New Changes aim to simplify land requirements while ensuring safety, infrastructure, and play facilities for students
The CBSE Board has revised the minimum land requirement norms for school affiliation by amending Chapter 3 of its Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018. The update simplifies school area categories, revises land norms across regions, and clearly outlines rules related to play areas, building regulations, and existing affiliated schools.
CBSE Board has issued a notice related to amendment in land requirement norms for school affiliation which all students and teachers should know about. This blog post will tell you the complete details about CBSE’s revised land requirement circular. That is why all teachers and students should read this blog post till the end and share it with their friends or students.
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The Central Board of Secondary Education has officially notified amendments to Clauses 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 of Chapter 3 (Land Requirement) of the CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018. These clauses deal with the minimum land required for schools seeking affiliation with the Board.
The revised norms come after detailed discussions within the Board and aim to bring clarity, uniformity, and practical flexibility, especially for schools located in urban, hilly, and special category regions.
Background and Approval Process
According to the notification dated January 19, 2026 (Circular No. 04/2026), the issue was first discussed by the CBSE Affiliation Committee in its meeting held on November 26, 2025. The committee’s recommendations were later approved by the Governing Body during its meeting on December 24, 2025.
Following this approval, the earlier land-related clauses were abolished and replaced with a revised Clause 3.3, which now serves as the main reference for minimum land requirements for school affiliation.
Revised School Area Categories
One of the key changes introduced by CBSE is the simplification of school area categories.
Earlier, schools were classified into four categories. This has now been reduced to three.
These categories determine how much land a school must have based on its location and the level of affiliation it seeks.
Schools under Category A can be located anywhere in the country. Such schools must have a minimum land area of 6,000 square metres for affiliation up to the Senior Secondary level.
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Category B applies to schools located within certain municipal limits, including Y-category cities, state capital cities, and hilly areas. In these locations, schools need at least 2,400 square metres of land for Secondary level affiliation and 3,200 square metres for Senior Secondary level.
Category C covers schools situated within municipal limits of X-category cities and specific States and Union Territories such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep. For these schools, the minimum land requirement is 1,600 square metres for Secondary level and 2,400 square metres for Senior Secondary level.
Play Area and Sports Provisions
The revised rules place strong emphasis on physical activity and student safety.
As per the amended clause, all schools must provide a minimum play area of 2,000 square metres within the campus. Schools functioning under relaxed land norms and having less than 6,000 square metres of total land are allowed an alternative option.
Such schools may enter into a long-term arrangement, for at least 15 years, with nearby schools, colleges, sports complexes, stadiums, or government-maintained public parks for sports and extracurricular activities.
However, these arrangements must meet strict safety conditions. The play facility should be within 200 metres of the school, and students must not be required to cross major roads or highways that could pose safety risks. Where arrangements involve private institutions or government bodies, proper agreements or official letters must be submitted to the Board.
Building Regulations and Section Limits
CBSE has also reiterated that the covered area and height of school buildings must follow the Building Bye-Laws notified by the respective State or Union Territory. If such bye-laws are not available, the Model Building Bye Laws, 2016, issued by the Ministry of Urban Development, will apply.
In addition, the number of sections allowed in a school will be limited based on the total built-up area of the school building. This will be governed by Appendix V of the Board’s earlier circular issued on July 31, 2025.
Applicability to Existing and Foreign Schools
The revised norms will not disturb existing CBSE-affiliated schools that were granted affiliation under relaxed land norms. Schools located in areas not specifically covered under the new clauses will continue to follow the rules that were applicable at the time of their affiliation.
For foreign schools seeking CBSE affiliation, the minimum land requirement will continue to be governed by the land norms prescribed in the respective country.
CBSE Revised Land Requirement Norms (2026) – Key Changes
| Key Area | What CBSE Has Clarified or Changed (Easy to Understand) |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the circular | CBSE has updated its rules to clearly define how much land is required to open or run a CBSE-affiliated school, depending on the school’s location and level. |
| Legal basis of change | The changes are made by amending Chapter 3 of the CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018, which deals with land and infrastructure requirements. |
| Clauses revised | CBSE has revised Clauses 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 and replaced them with a new, simplified Clause 3.3. |
| Approval process | The changes were first discussed by the CBSE Affiliation Committee and later approved by the Governing Body and Controlling Authority of CBSE. |
| School area categories | CBSE has reduced school area categories from four to three, making the system easier to understand and apply. |
| Category A schools | Schools located anywhere in India fall under this category and must have at least 6000 square metres of land for affiliation up to Senior Secondary level. |
| Category B schools | These include schools in Y-category cities, state capitals and hilly areas. Land requirements are lower due to space limitations in such regions. |
| Category B land requirement | Schools need 2400 square metres for Secondary level and 3200 square metres for Senior Secondary level affiliation. |
| Category C schools | This category covers schools in X-category cities and selected States and Union Territories such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and island regions. |
| Category C land requirement | Schools require 1600 square metres for Secondary level and 2400 square metres for Senior Secondary level. |
| Focus on play and sports | CBSE has clearly stated that learning is incomplete without physical activity and has made play areas mandatory for all schools. |
| Minimum play area | Every school must provide a minimum play area of 2000 square metres, either within the campus or through a permitted alternative arrangement. |
| Schools with limited land | Schools having less than 6000 square metres of land can use nearby playgrounds, sports complexes or public parks under a long-term agreement. |
| Duration of sports arrangement | Such sports and play arrangements must be valid for at least 15 years to ensure long-term availability for students. |
| Student safety conditions | The play area must be within 200 metres of the school and students should not cross highways or busy roads to reach it. |
| Documentation required | Schools must submit signed agreements or official permission letters from the concerned institution or authority to CBSE. |
| Building construction rules | School building height and covered area must follow the Building Bye-Laws of the respective State or Union Territory. |
| If local bye-laws are absent | In such cases, the Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 issued by the Government of India will apply. |
| Number of sections allowed | CBSE will limit the number of class sections based on the total built-up area of the school building. |
| Existing CBSE schools | Schools already affiliated under earlier relaxed norms will continue to follow the rules that applied at the time of their affiliation. |
| Schools in unlisted areas | If a city or area is not specifically mentioned, the existing applicable rules will continue for such schools. |
| Foreign CBSE schools | Schools outside India will follow the land norms prescribed by the respective country where they are located. |
The revised norms aim to simplify compliance for schools without compromising student safety, learning spaces, or physical development. School authorities are expected to align their planning and infrastructure decisions with the updated guidelines issued by the Board.
