Jaipur, Rajasthan — In a major policy shift aimed at tightening regulation of private schools, the Rajasthan Education Department has announced that schools affiliated with CBSE or other national boards will now need official state recognition (“promotion recognition”) in addition to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to run higher classes from Grade 9 to Grade 12.
The new rule will come into effect from the next academic session and is expected to impact around 1,000 private schools across the state that currently operate senior secondary classes based mainly on CBSE affiliation and a state NOC.
Under the earlier system, Rajasthan’s Education Department granted recognition only up to Class 8. After that, many schools secured an NOC and relied solely on central board affiliation to continue classes up to Grade 12 without further state approval.
However, the department says that loopholes in this process were being misused. Critics argue that some schools bypassed state regulations in running higher secondary classes, prompting the government to mandate state‑level “promotion recognition” for every class level as per government norms.
According to the updated order issued by the Director of Secondary Education, Sitaram Jat, schools that fail to obtain this recognition will have their existing NOCs revoked immediately. The rule applies to both new and existing schools operating senior secondary classes.
More Read
The announcement has sparked concern among private school operators. The Society for Un‑Aided Schools, led by Damodar Goyal, has criticized the move as contrary to the Rajasthan Non‑Government Educational Institutions Act, 1989. They argue that:
- There is no legal provision to revoke an already issued NOC,
- The new rule may promote bureaucratic interference and “inspector raj,” and
- It could increase paperwork and compliance burdens for schools.
Education officials, however, maintain the goal is to ensure uniform standards and transparency in the operation of secondary and senior secondary educational programs.
