In a packed courtroom at the Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan High Court, Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand delivered a significant order on September 15, 2025, that could reshape how private schools handle board regulations. The case revolved around two Kota-based schools LBS Convent School and The Lord Buddha Public School which were stripped of their CBSE affiliation last year. Several students from these schools had also approached the court, fearing their academic year would collapse midway.
Background
Both schools had been de-affiliated in October 2024 by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and downgraded from Senior Secondary to Secondary level. CBSE accused them of enrolling dummy students, forging attendance records, and violating affiliation byelaws. While a third school from Kota, Shiv Jyoti Convent Senior Secondary School, faced similar charges, it was allowed to rectify its shortcomings upon payment of a penalty.
Feeling singled out, the two schools challenged the decision, arguing they were treated unfairly despite submitting all required safety and hygiene certificates. Meanwhile, their students pleaded that being forced to switch schools mid-session would destroy months of preparation, especially with board exams around the corner.
Court's Observations
Justice Dhand’s bench noted a striking inconsistency in CBSE’s approach. While the board claimed that Shiv Jyoti had only "deficiencies" but no legal violations, it branded the petitioners as having committed "serious byelaw breaches."
The judge remarked,
"This Court is not an expert to make a choice out of the contradictory arguments… It is for the respondent-CBSE to look into the matter."
The order also took a bold detour to comment on the widespread menace of dummy schools in Rajasthan, especially in coaching hubs like Kota. Justice Dhand said,
"Dummy schools have become a blight on India’s education system… They let students skip regular schooling and focus only on competitive exam coaching."
He cautioned that this practice harms students mental health, stunts their overall development, and is often driven by intense parental pressure to crack IIT-JEE or NEET exams at any cost. The judge called for counselling centres in schools and stricter monitoring of attendance.
Decision
The court has sent the matter back to CBSE, directing the board to re-examine the cases of all three schools together and pass fresh orders within four weeks. Until then, the students currently enrolled will not be shifted to other schools and shall be allowed to sit in the upcoming board examinations if they meet basic eligibility.
At the same time, the schools have been barred from admitting new students to Classes IX to XII unless CBSE restores their affiliation.
Justice Dhand clarified,
"If any adverse order is passed, the petitioner-schools will be free to approach the appropriate legal forum."
The order also directed the CBSE and Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education to conduct surprise inspections and crack down on dummy admissions, signalling that leniency would no longer be tolerated.
Case Title:- LBS Convent School, RIICO Institutional Area, Ranpur, Kota & Ors. vs. CBSE & Ors.