The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken the drastic step of withdrawing the affiliation of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur's Mansarovar area. This unprecedented action comes in the wake of a tragic incident that claimed the life of a young student and exposed severe lapses in the institution's safety and supervisory mechanisms. The decision has sent shockwaves through the school community, triggering immediate consequences and an uncertain future for hundreds of students and staff members.
A Tragedy That Exposed Systemic Failures
The chain of events began on November 1, 2025, when a nine-year-old boy studying in Class IV fell from the fourth floor of the school building and died. The incident immediately raised alarming questions about the adequacy of student supervision and physical safety measures within the school premises. Following media reports on November 2, the CBSE took cognizance of the matter and initiated a detailed review.
The Board's preliminary assessment indicated that the circumstances of the fall pointed not just to failures in safety infrastructure, but also to a lack of essential support systems like counselling and anti-bullying mechanisms. The tragic death sparked public outrage and led to growing demands for regulatory accountability.
CBSE's Phased Investigation and Final Verdict
The CBSE launched a structured investigation process. On November 3, 2025, a fact-finding committee visited the school to inspect facilities, interview staff, and review safety arrangements. The committee met the grieving parents on November 12 to understand their complaints and the school's response.
A damning final inspection report was submitted on November 17, 2025, documenting serious non-compliance with mandatory safety standards. Based on these findings, CBSE issued a show-cause notice to the school on November 20. The inspection reports were formally shared with the school management on December 16, which submitted its reply on December 19. After examining all documents, the CBSE delivered its final verdict on December 30, 2025: the immediate revocation of the school's affiliation.
Key Safety Norms Violated by the School
The investigation uncovered violations of multiple clauses of the CBSE Affiliation Bye-Laws, 2018. The absence of safety nets and protected corridors on upper floors breached Clause 4.7.6. The school was also found violating Clause 4.7.10 (amended) for failing to ensure the physical and psychological safety of students. Furthermore, Clause 2.4.12 was infringed as the school lacked an effective counselling and grievance redressal system.
The school had also disregarded safety directives from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), guidelines from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and safety standards established by the Supreme Court in the Avinash Mehrotra vs Union of India case.
The inspection committee listed nine major violations, including:
- Lack of safety nets on higher floors and insufficient CCTV coverage across the campus.
- CCTV footage was not stored for the mandatory 90-day period.
- No functional counselling system despite repeated bullying complaints from students.
- The anti-bullying committee existed only on paper and was non-operational.
- Poor monitoring of student movement within the building.
- Staff and students were not regularly wearing identity cards.
- The immediate cleaning of blood-stained evidence from the incident site, raising concerns about evidence tampering.
Immediate and Long-Term Consequences
The CBSE's decision has a cascading impact on every stakeholder. As an interim measure, students of Classes X and XII for the 2025-26 academic session will be permitted to continue and appear for their board exams from the same school. However, students of Classes IX and XI must transfer to a nearby CBSE-affiliated school by March 31, 2026.
The school has been barred from admitting new students in any class. Children in lower classes will not be promoted under the natural progression policy. Parents now face immense anxiety and logistical challenges in securing their children's educational continuity. Teaching and non-teaching staff are likely to face employment uncertainties due to a sharp decline in student strength. The school management cannot apply for affiliation restoration immediately and must operate under strict regulatory scrutiny.
Lessons for Schools Across India
This case serves as a stark reminder that student safety infrastructure is non-negotiable. Ensuring physical safeguards, maintaining an active counselling system, comprehensive CCTV monitoring, and diligent staff vigilance are mandatory regulatory requirements, not optional best practices. The inquiry underscored that parental complaints must be addressed promptly and that any attempt to tamper with evidence following an incident will attract the severest of penalties.
The Path to Possible Redemption
The CBSE has outlined a difficult road ahead for Neerja Modi School. The institution can apply for restoration of affiliation at the secondary level after one full academic year, but only upon demonstrating full compliance with all safety norms. Restoration at the senior secondary level may be considered only after two additional academic years. Until then, the school remains under a microscope as it struggles to overhaul its operations, meet stringent regulatory demands, and rebuild shattered trust.
