IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN

AT JAIPUR BENCH, JAIPUR

LBS Convent School & Ors. v/s CBSE & Ors.

Brief Facts

• Multiple schools in Kota (LBS Convent School & The Lord Buddha Public School) were de-affiliated and downgraded by CBSE for one year, with liberty to reapply later.
• Students of these schools (Class X & XII) were ordered to be shifted mid-session.
• Earlier, Shiv Jyoti Convent Sr. Sec. School faced identical action but later got relief from CBSE upon representation, being only fined ₹5,00,000/-.
• Petitioners alleged discrimination, as they too had submitted compliance certificates but were treated differently.
  
  

Petitioners’ Arguments

• Action was arbitrary and discriminatory vis-à-vis Shiv Jyoti School.
• Hygiene, fire, and safety certificates were submitted but ignored.
• Students’ academic year was at stake; shifting mid-session would cause grave prejudice.
  
  

Respondent’s Arguments

• Distinction drawn:
  • Shiv Jyoti School: only deficiencies (rectifiable).
  • Petitioner-schools: serious bye-law violations, including:
    1. Sponsoring dummy/non-attending students.
    2. Manipulating records to mislead CBSE.
    3. Severe infrastructural gaps.
    4. Improper teacher–student ratio.
    5. Irregularities in attendance/staff registers.
    6. Teachers not attending mandatory CBSE training.

Therefore, harsher action was justified.

Court’s Analysis

• All three schools earlier faced identical orders (29/30.10.2024).
• In April 2025, High Court had directed CBSE to reconsider their representations.
• CBSE gave different treatment—relief to Shiv Jyoti but rejection for petitioners.
• Court observed that CBSE must uniformly assess all three cases.
• Matter remitted back to CBSE to re-examine petitioners’ cases vis-à-vis Shiv Jyoti School and pass fresh orders within 4 weeks.
• Till then, students shall not be shifted mid-session; they must be allowed to file exam forms and appear in exams if otherwise eligible.
• CBSE may conduct random inspections of these schools.
• Schools restrained from taking new admissions in Classes IX–XII until further CBSE decision.
• Petitioners free to challenge any fresh adverse order before appropriate forum.
  
  

Parting Remarks by Court

• Took judicial notice of the menace of “dummy schools” in Rajasthan, particularly in Kota (linked with coaching institutes).
• Strongly criticized commercialization of education and parental pressure for JEE/NEET.
• Emphasized adverse mental health impact and career risks for students enrolled in dummy schools.
• Urged CBSE, RBSE and other boards to enforce strict bye-laws:
  • Mandatory 75% attendance in Classes IX–XII.
  • Random inspections.
  • Strict action against schools and staff involved in dummy admissions.
    
    

 The Court protected students’ interests mid-session, directed CBSE to reconsider schools’ cases on parity with Shiv Jyoti School, and issued broader observations against the dummy school system in Kota.