CBSE Affiliation Guide 2025 – Step-by-Step Help for Schools
Are you starting a new school or switching from another board? Our CBSE Affiliation Guide 2025 helps you understand everything—from eligibility to documentation, inspection, and SARAS portal process. Whether you’re applying for fresh affiliation, upgradation, or extension, this guide simplifies it all.
What Is CBSE Affiliation?
CBSE affiliation is an official recognition by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), allowing schools to follow its curriculum and guidelines. Affiliated schools can register students for board exams and gain national credibility.
Types of CBSE Affiliation
CBSE provides different types of affiliation:
- Fresh Affiliation – For new schools (up to Class 10 or Class 12)
- Upgradation – Upgrade existing affiliation from Secondary to Senior Secondary
- Extension of Affiliation – Renewal after the current affiliation period
- Switch-over – Changing from another board (e.g., GSEB, ICSE) to CBSE
Eligibility Criteria for CBSE Affiliation
To apply for CBSE affiliation, schools must:
- Be run by a registered Trust/Society/Company (under Section 8)
- Be recognized by the State/UT Education Department
- Own land or have a long-term lease (30+ years)
- Have sufficient infrastructure and basic facilities
- Employ qualified staff as per CBSE norms
- Fulfill student-teacher ratio, safety, and health standards
- Follow the Right to Education Act (RTE), 2009 where applicable
Documents Required for CBSE Affiliation
Here’s a checklist of documents to upload on the CBSE SARAS 4.0 Portal:
- School registration certificate
- Land ownership/lease documents in prescribed format
- Building safety certificate
- Fire safety certificate
- Sanitation and drinking water certificate
- Fee structure of the school
- Staff details with qualifications and experience
- Recognition certificate
- Self-certification for norms compliance
- Balance sheet and audit report
- Affidavit for non-commercial use of premises
Tip: Ensure documents are clearly scanned and in the latest CBSE-prescribed formats.
How to Apply for CBSE Affiliation – SARAS Portal Guide
CBSE accepts applications online via the SARAS Portal. Follow these steps:
Step-by-step Process:
- Register on SARAS 4.0 Portal
- Choose the type of affiliation
- Fill in school details and infrastructure info
- Upload required documents
- Pay online fees
- Track application status and respond to queries
You will also receive alerts via email/SMS for important updates.
CBSE Affiliation Fees (2025)
| Affiliation Type | Fee (Rs.) |
| Fresh Affiliation (up to Class 10) | INR 50,000 |
| Upgradation to Senior Secondary | INR 50,000 |
| Extension of Affiliation | INR 40,000 |
| Switch-over from other Boards | INR 50,000 |
Note: Additional inspection fees and late charges may apply. Always refer to the latest CBSE circulars.
CBSE Inspection Process
After submission, CBSE will appoint an Inspection Committee. They’ll assess:
- Academic and physical infrastructure
- Record verification
- Compliance with CBSE affiliation bye-laws
- Safety and hygiene standards
- Staff qualifications and student-teacher ratio
You must host the inspection team and provide all requested documents.
Timeline for Affiliation Application – 2025-26 Session
| Phase | Tentative Dates |
| Application Window | July–December 2024 |
| Inspection Period | October 2024 – February 2025 |
| Final Decision | March–April 2025 |
| Academic Session | Starts April–June 2025 |
Post-Affiliation Requirements
Once affiliated, schools must:
- Display mandatory disclosures on the school website
- Follow CBSE curriculum and academic calendar
- Submit data on OASIS portal every year
- Participate in CBSE trainings and capacity building
- Renew affiliation before expiry (typically every 5 years)
Free Resources & Downloads
You can download helpful documents here:
- About CBSE
- CBSE Audit Process
- CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws PDF
- SARAS Portal User Guide PDF
- Sample Affidavit Formats (DOC)
- CBSE Inspection Checklist (PDF)
- Mandatory Disclosure Template
No, but it’s required if you want to follow the CBSE curriculum and register students for Class 10/12 CBSE board exams.
Yes, but you must have a registered lease deed of 30 years minimum.
At least 1 year before the expiry of current affiliation.
Is the CBSE Affiliation process fully online?
The entire CBSE affiliation process can take 3 to 6 months, depending on document readiness, inspection timing, and CBSE’s review cycle.
Fresh affiliation is generally granted for 3 or 5 years, after which schools must apply for an extension of affiliation.
Yes, you can edit before final submission. After submission, only minor corrections may be allowed upon CBSE’s instructions.
Yes, for most cases including fresh affiliation and upgradation, CBSE conducts a mandatory inspection. However, extensions may sometimes be granted based on previous compliance.
The application may be rejected or kept on hold. Schools can reapply after rectifying issues and submitting a compliance report.
SARAS (School Affiliation Re-Engineered Automation System) is CBSE’s official online portal where schools register, apply, upload documents, pay fees, and track affiliation status.
Yes, both aided and unaided schools are eligible, provided they meet all CBSE norms and infrastructure requirements.
Yes, schools must have adequate outdoor play area for physical education. However, if space is limited, shared facilities (like rented grounds) may be accepted.
No, new schools must first apply for Secondary (Class 10) level. After a few years, they can apply for upgradation to Senior Secondary (Class 12).
Providing incorrect or fake documents can lead to rejection of affiliation, blacklisting, and legal action by CBSE.
Yes. If a school fails to comply with CBSE’s norms, affiliation can be withdrawn or suspended at any time.
