CBSE 2025: Students to be banned for 2 years if caught cheating, check official notice here

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a stern warning to students ahead of the 2025 Class X and Class XII Board examinations, emphasising strict measures to curb malpractice during the exams. As per the official notice, students caught engaging in unfair practices, including cheating or using electronic devices, will face a severe punishment – a ban from taking any CBSE exams for the following two years.
The board is set to conduct exams for approximately 44 lakh students across 204 subjects, starting on February 15, 2025. In light of this, CBSE has made it clear that any student found guilty of unfair means (UFM) will not only have their current exams cancelled but will also be barred from sitting for exams in the following year. This move aims to ensure a fair and transparent examination process for all.
Possession of Unauthorised Materials
One of the primary violations under CBSE's new "Unfair Means Rules" (UFM) relates to the possession of unauthorised materials during the examination. Students found in possession of previous years' question papers or written notes on their person will face severe penalties. Such actions will result in the immediate cancellation of the current examination in the affected subject. In these cases, students may still be allowed to take the exam during the compartment examination, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Similarly, any attempt to communicate with someone outside the examination hall, whether through verbal communication or written materials, will lead to the cancellation of the current exam.
Severe Violations: Use of Electronic Devices and Malpractices
CBSE has heightened the scrutiny of electronic devices within examination centres. Students caught using or attempting to use electronic devices, such as mobile phones, smart watches, or Bluetooth earphones, after entering the examination hall will face significant consequences. These violations are classified as Category-3 offences and result in the cancellation of both the current examination as well as the next year's exams.
In addition to this, students found engaging in acts of violence, threatening staff members, or forcibly entering or exiting the examination centre will be penalised under the same stringent rules.
Strict Measures for Fraudulent Behaviour
Impersonation is considered one of the most serious offences in the examination process. If a student arranges for someone else to take the examination on their behalf, they will face a harsh penalty. This includes the cancellation of their current and future exams for up to three years, as well as the requirement to reappear in all subjects in subsequent years.
Furthermore, students who attempt to influence the examination process by sharing exam-related materials on social media or attempting to solicit an unfair advantage from examination authorities will also face severe consequences. These actions fall under the most serious category of malpractice and may result in a ban from all CBSE exams for the next three years.
Improper Conduct and Unauthorised Items
Students who engage in minor violations, such as using obscene or derogatory language in their answer books or including any form of currency note attached to their answer sheets, will be penalised but may avoid a full ban. Such actions may result in counselling by the UFM Committee, and any attached currency notes will be forfeited and deposited into the Board's account.
Additionally, any student found using ink or pencils other than the approved blue or black ink in their answer book may be subject to penalties, including a warning or further examination of their conduct.
What Students Need to Know
Ahead of the 2025 board exams, CBSE has provided detailed guidelines to all affiliated schools. The following actions are to be taken by the schools to ensure a fair examination environment:
1. Briefing Students on Examination Ethics: Schools are instructed to educate students about the UFM rules and the penalties for violating them. Students should also be advised to ignore rumours and refrain from spreading any false information that could disrupt the exam process.
2. Parental Awareness: Principals are also asked to ensure that parents are made aware of these rules and penalties. This helps in ensuring that both students and parents are fully informed of the expectations.
3. Pre-Examination Reminders: On the day of the exam, students should be reminded to avoid bringing any prohibited items into the examination centre. Schools are also advised to brief the officials on duty about the importance of following examination rules.
List of Permitted Items
Students must ensure they bring only the following permitted items to the examination centre:
• Admit Card & School Identity Card (for regular students)
• Admit Card & Any Government Issued Photo Identity Proof (for private students)
• Stationery items: Transparent pouch, Geometry/Pencil box, Blue/Royal Blue ink/ballpoint/gel pen, Scale, Writing pad, Eraser
• Analogue watch
• Transparent water bottle
• Metro card, bus pass, money
List of Barred Items
Students are strictly prohibited from bringing the following items into the examination halls:
• Stationery items such as textual material (printed or written), pens, calculators, log tables, electronic pens/scanners, etc.
• Any communication devices including mobile phones, Bluetooth, earphones, microphones, pagers, smart watches, and cameras
• Personal items such as wallets, sunglasses, handbags, pouches, and any eatables (except for diabetic students)
• Any items that could be used for unfair means
Students found in possession of any of the barred items will face penalties as per the UFM rules.
Dress Code
CBSE has specified a dress code for students appearing for the 2025 exams:
• For Regular Students: School uniform
• For Private Students: Light clothes
The dress code aims to maintain uniformity and ensure that students do not carry any prohibited items hidden under their clothing.
Offences and their Penalties
CBSE has established a set of clear guidelines to address violations of examination rules. Here's a breakdown of the key actions that will be taken in response to unfair means:
Possession of Prohibited Materials: If a student is found with materials not allowed in the examination hall, such as notes, books, or previous year's question papers, their current exam will be cancelled in that subject. They may still be allowed to take the exam in a subsequent compartment exam, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
Communication During the Examination: Any attempt to contact someone outside the exam centre or communicate with other students will result in the cancellation of the exam in the affected subject.
Use of Electronic Devices: The use of mobile phones, smart watches, or any electronic devices that can be used for communication is strictly prohibited. Students found guilty will have their exams cancelled for both the current and the following year.
Violence or Threatening Behaviour: Any form of violence, including threatening staff members or fellow students, will result in the cancellation of the student’s exams for both the current year and the following year. Serious disciplinary action may also be taken against the student.
Impersonation and Fraudulent Behaviour: If a student is found guilty of impersonation or attempting to gain an unfair advantage by sharing exam-related materials on social media, their exams for the next three years will be cancelled, and they will be barred from taking exams for that period.
Read the official notice here