No NOC Needed for CBSE Affiliation from 2026-27

March 31, 2025, 4:05 p.m.

Marking a major policy change, schools applying for CBSE affiliation will no longer need to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the respective state government from the 2026-27 academic session. Earlier, schools required the NOC because they were initially affiliated with the state board and needed the state’s permission to change boards. CBSE accepts affiliation applications from Class VIII onwards to ensure students can appear for Class X board exams.

No NOC Needed for CBSE Affiliation

In the last 12 years, this is the 3rd major policy shift by CBSE on the NOC requirement. Until 2013, schools had to submit the NOC at the time of applying. Later, in 2013, then Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor changed the rule after receiving complaints of bribery demands by state officials during the NOC process. Again in 2017, CBSE reverted to the old rule, reintroducing the NOC requirement at the application stage, which faced strong opposition from schools citing increased state interference.

Now, in 2025, CBSE has announced that applications will be accepted without NOC, but the state education department will still be informed about the school’s application. The board will ask the state if they have any objection. If the state does not respond within 30 days, CBSE will send a reminder giving an additional 15 days. If there’s still no response, CBSE will treat it as ‘deemed NOC’ and proceed with the affiliation. This change reduces dependency on state permissions while ensuring transparency and giving states a fair chance to raise objections.