Lok Sabha Question No. 2698 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Opening of Branch in the Name of Main School
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Soumendu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2698 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## Opening of Branch in the Name of Main School

## 2698. Shri Adhikari Soumendu:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has notified National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the country, if so, whether the CBSE, ICSE (CISCE) and State Boards have implemented new  and  comprehensive  National  Curriculum  Framework  (NCF)  2023  in  the education policy system and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the institutions are now being restricted to open branch school in same name like main school under the NEP 2020 policy frame work, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  specific  guidelines  for  schools  affiliated  with  CBSE,  ICSE  (CISCE)  and  State Boards along with the copies of order to set up branch school;
- (d) whether a main school can open a branch school under norms of franchise anywhere in the country, if so, the details of the specific norms, regulations and limitations to open branch school in same name of main school affiliated with any Board of CBSE, ICSE (CISCE) and State Boards under NEP 2020; and
- (e) whether  it  is  true  that  the  under  NEP  2020,  Government  is  allowed  to  extend/ transform  from  foundational  stage  of  primary  school  into  large  multidisciplinary universities, colleges and higher education institution clusters/knowledge hubs, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a):  The  National  Education  Policy,  2020,  after  the  approval  of  the  Union  Cabinet  was launched  on  29.07.2020  after  detailed  consultation  with  all  concerned  stakeholders.  NEP 2020 provides different timelines as well as principles and methodology for its implementation. Education being in the concurrent list of Constitution, Centre and States are equally responsible for providing quality education to all. Accordingly, Ministry of Education, State Governments, education-related Ministries, the regulatory and implementing bodies  of  school  and  higher  education  such  as  University  Grants  Commission,  All  India Council for Technical Education, National Council for Teacher Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Central Board of Secondary Education, Universities/ Colleges/ Schools etc. have taken several initiatives for implementation of NEP 2020.

Central  Board  of  Secondary  Education  (CBSE)  is  implementing  the  National  Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2023 in a progressive manner. The Board has taken the following steps in this regard:

- Curriculum Restructuring
- NCF- Foundational Stage- Introduced 5-year foundational educational structure.
- Competency based NCERT textbooks for grades 3 to 6.
- Issued implementation guidelines for adoption of NCF-SE.
- Assessment related initiatives
- Holistic  Progress  Card (HPC)  - It  is  a  360-degree  multidimensional  report  card  that measures qualitative progress.
- SAFAL - Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning - It identifies learning gaps in core competencies to help schools improve teaching quality.
- SQAAF  -  School  Quality  Assessment  and  Assurance  Framework-mandates  all schools to perform self-assessment on the portal every year.

As far as CISCE is concerned, it has taken several steps to implement the recommendations of NEP - 2020 and NCF - 2023 in the schools affiliated to CISCE as per the details given in Annexure -I.

The NEP 2020 is being implemented across States / UTs through a multi-pronged approach involving multiple stakeholders.   The Centrally sponsored schemes like Samagra Shiksha, PM  Shri,  Ullas  and  PM  Poshan  provide  funding  for  different  components  like  FLN, assessment  (HPC,  Parakh),  setting  up  of  Standard  Setting  Authorities,  Skill  Education, Teacher Capacity Building (NPST, NMM, DIETs), nutrition, etc.

Academically, the NCF-SE  provides  a  transformative and progressive framework  to implement the vision of NEP 2020. New textbooks have been prepared by NCERT under this framework for Classes 1-8. These are adopted / adapted by most States / UTs.

Since education falls under the concurrent list in Schedule VII of the Constitution of India, each state is responsible for its own implementation process.  Thus, the pace of adoption of various  components  of  NEP  2020  and  NCF-SE  by  State  boards  varies,  depending  on  how prepared their education systems are.

- (b):  CBSE  vide  Notification  No.  CBSE/AFF./Misc./BS/2025  dated  22.02.2025  (refer  to https://saras.cbse.gov.in/SARAS/Circulars/Circular05\_2025638760794636638304.pdf) has permitted the school situated in areas where relaxed land norms are applicable to establish single branch school from Bal-Vatika to Class V with the same name as the name of the Main School.

CISCE Rules for Affiliation, 2025 (Chapter I, Rule (C), Clause (iv & v) states that classes will be conducted only on the premises for which affiliation is granted. Any Branch (s) or Units (s) of an affiliated school shall not be deemed to be affiliated to the CISCE unless such Branch (s) or Unit (s) apply afresh and are granted separate affiliation by the CISCE in terms of these Rules.

- (c):  CBSE  vide  Notification  No.  CBSE/AFF./Misc./BS/2025  dated  22.02.2025  has  issued detailed guidelines for establishing a Branch School (refer to https://saras.cbse.gov.in/SARAS/Circulars/Circular05\_2025638760794636638304.pdf).

The Board under Chapter 2 of Affiliation Bye-Laws (Branch School) - 2025 has laid down inter alia the following provisions for establishing a Branch School:

| 2.1    | The schools situated in areas as per clauses 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 of the Affiliation Bye-Laws-2018 of the Board, where relaxed Land norms are applicable may be permitted to have Main School and single Branch School within the same city.                                                                                                                           |
|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2.2(a) | The existing school which is affiliated with the Board is termed as 'Main School' and second school established under the same affiliation number, name and by the same school management but with separate set of resources in terms of Physical and Academic Infrastructure, Teaching &Supporting Staff etc. from Bal-Vatika to Class V is termed as 'Branch School'. |
| 2.2(b) | Both Main and the Branch School shall have same Affiliation Number and the name of the Main School.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| 2.4    | Branch School shall be located within the municipal limits of the same City.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| 2.5    | Both Main and the Branch School shall have separate set of resources in terms of Infrastructure, Teaching Staff &Supporting Staff.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| 2.8    | Both of the Branches shall separately maintain essential documents viz. Recognition, UDISE +, Land Certificate, Fire Safety Certificate, Building Safety Certificate and Water and Sanitation Certificate. The NOC of the Main school                                                                                                                                   |

|         | shall also be applicable for the Branch School.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2.17    | There shall be a seamless transition of students from the Branch School to the Main School. The school will not consider these students as new admissions in the Main School. They shall be considered to be students promoted to class VI through natural progression. |
| 2.18(a) | The teaching staff of Main and Branch School shall be separate.                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| 2.18(b) | The ancillary staff such as Security Guards, Clerical staff, Multi-Tasking Staff etc. shall be separate for Main School and Branch School.                                                                                                                              |

The  CISCE  Rules  for  Affiliation,  2025  has  been  notified  in  the  public  domain  at  website www.cisce.org under affiliation section for information of all the affiliated schools and for schools seeking affiliation with CISCE.

Education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Schools, other than those owned/funded by the Central Government, are under the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments.  Therefore,  matters  related  to  the  management  of  schools  are  regulated  in accordance with the Rules and Instructions of the respective State  Government concerned. Also, the preparation and implementation of curricula and textbooks for schools under State Boards, Private Broads etc. lies within the jurisdiction of the respective State Governments.

- (d): As far as CBSE is concerned, the main school can open only single Branch School with same name which shall be located within the municipal limits of the same City.

CISCE  Rules  for  Affiliation  does  not  permit  running  of  branch  school  without  affiliation granted by the council.

- (e): NEP 2020 envisages modification of the extant 10+2 structure in school education with a new pedagogical and curricular restructuring of 5+3+3+4 covering ages 3-18. Accordingly, the curricular and pedagogical structure and the curricular framework for school education is to  be  guided  by  a  5+3+3+4  design,  consisting  of  the  Foundational  Stage  (3  years  of Anganwadi/preschool + 2 years in primary school in Grades 1-2; both together covering ages 3-8), Preparatory Stage (Grades 3-5, covering ages 8-11), Middle Stage (Grades 6-8, covering ages 11-14), and Secondary Stage (Grades 9-12 in two phases, i.e., 9 and 10 in the first and 11 and 12 in the second, covering ages 14-18). Centrally sponsored scheme Samagra Shikha has been fully aligned with the vision of NEP 2020.

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  IN  RESPECT  OF  LOK SABHA  UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2698  ASKED  BY  SHRI  ADHIKARI SOUMENDU,  HON'BLE  MEMBER  OF  PARLIAMENT  ANSWERED  ON  09 TH MARCH, 2026  REGARDING  OPENING OF BRANCH IN THE NAME OF MAIN SCHOOL

## CISCE's Initiatives for Implementation of NEP-2020 and NCF-2023

Since the notification of NEP 2020, the Board has taken several proactive steps to align the CISCE school education system with the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

The key initiatives are summarized below:

1. Advisory  to  Schools:  An  'Advisory  on  Actionable  Items  in  NEP  2020'  was  issued  by CISCE in September 2022 to all affiliated schools to ensure a phased transition toward the pedagogical and curricular shifts envisaged under NEP 2020.
2. Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN): A 'Resource Pack on Foundational Literacy and  Numeracy  (FLN)'  was  developed  in  2022,  and  teacher  training  programmes  have been organised using these modules under the NIPUN Bharat Mission.
3. Skill-Based  Education:  To  promote  vocational  integration,  CISCE  has  introduced  skill subjects at various levels from Grade 6 onwards, with a focus on developing 21st century skills and enhancing employability, including financial literacy, environmental awareness and sustainability, and innovative technologies.
4. Syllabus Revision: In accordance with NCF-SE 2023, CISCE has initiated the revision of syllabuses  for  the  Secondary  and  Senior  Secondary  levels.  This  includes  updated curriculum for Languages, Sciences, and Humanities, and the introduction of contemporary subjects such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Entrepreneurship, to name a few.
5. Two Levels of Subjects: To cater to diverse learner aptitudes, CISCE has introduced two levels of certain subjects (e.g., English and Modern English, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics), providing students with greater choice based on their interests and future goals, effective from the academic year 2025-26.
6. Teacher Capacity Building and Professional Development: CISCE has been organising Capacity Building Programmes for teachers across all stages (Foundational, Preparatory, Middle,  and  Secondary)  to  strengthen  pedagogical  skills  and  deepen  understanding  of curricular  goals  outlined  in  the  National  Curriculum  Framework  (NCF).  The  training emphasises  effective  implementation  of  Learning  Outcomes  (LOs),  competency-based and  experiential  teaching-  learning  practices,  multidisciplinary  approaches,  and  the adoption of the new assessment framework focusing on formative and competency-based assessment. In addition, CISCE has implemented a mandatory 50 hours of Continuous Professional  Development  (CPD)  annually  for  every  teacher  to  ensure  they  remain updated with modern pedagogies and best practices.
7. Inclusive Education: CISCE issued the 'CISCE Guidelines for Comprehensive Support Measures  in  Examinations:  Concessions  and  Benefits  for  Diverse  Needs  Learners'  in

2024 to ensure that schools provide an equitable learning environment for children with diverse needs. The guidelines aim to create a more inclusive educational framework by expanding support measures for candidates appearing in CISCE Board examinations. In 2025, CISCE also released the CISCE Handbook on Inclusive Education, a comprehensive,  action-oriented  resource  designed  to  help  schools  strengthen  their systems  of  inclusion  and  ensure  that  every  learner  receives  equitable  opportunities  to learn and succeed.

8. Competency-Based Assessment: To reduce rote learning and promote competency-based learning,  the  weightage  of  competency-based  questions  in  the  Board  examinations  for Classes X and XII has been progressively increased. It has  reached 40% for the 2026 examinations  and  will  further  increase  to  50%  from  the  2027  examinations.  These include  a  range  of  question  formats  such  as  objective-type  questions,  multiple-choice questions, and other application-based items designed to assess conceptual understanding and higher- order thinking skills.
9. Key Stage Assessments: CISCE launched Key Stage Assessments in 2025 for Grades III, V,  and  VIII  to  monitor  learning  progress  at  critical  transition  points  and  shift  the emphasis  from  purely  summative  evaluation  to  formative  and  diagnostic  assessment. These  assessments  assess  students  across  a  range  of  competencies  aligned  with  the National  Curriculum  Framework  for  School  Education  (NCF-SE  2023),  the  National Curriculum  Framework  for  the  Foundational  Stage  (NCF-FS  2022),  and  the  CISCE curriculum.
10. Health  &  Wellbeing:  To  promote  holistic  development  and  the  physical  well-being  of students,  CISCE  has  introduced  the  ACTIVE  CISCE  initiative.  This  programme integrates sports and physical education into the school curriculum and mandates regular fitness assessments to encourage active and healthy lifestyles among students.
11. Sports & Examination Flexibility: CISCE has introduced mechanisms for the identification  and  nurturance  of  talented  sports  students.  In  addition,  flexibility  in  the Board  examination  window  is  provided  for  students  engaged  in  sports  and  games, ensuring  they  can  participate  in  both  competitive  activities  and  academic  assessments without compromise.
12. Standard Setting and Accreditation:  In line with the mandate of NEP 2020 for quality selfregulation, CISCE  has introduced a framework for Standard Setting and Accreditation. This includes the implementation of the School Quality Assessment and Assurance (SQAA) framework, which ensures that all affiliated schools meet minimum benchmarks in academic excellence, school infrastructure, human  resources and professional development, student well-being, stakeholder satisfaction, and governance.
13. Holistic  and  Activity-Based  Learning:  CISCE  promotes  the  holistic  development  of students through activity-based learning and the integration of Arts and Sports into the curriculum. The Board organises co-curricular and enrichment activities such as debates, creative  writing,  quizzes,  and  Olympiads,  as  well  as  events  like  the  Inter-Robotics Championship, promoting creativity, critical thinking, and overall personality development alongside academic growth.