Avoid School Scams: Step-by-Step Guide to Checking Official CBSE Accreditation

During annual school admissions, several private institutions advertise themselves as "CBSE-pattern" or display CBSE logos on their hoardings, prospectuses, and websites. In reality, some of these schools operate without formal approval or hold temporary permissions that apply only up to primary or middle school levels.

When parents enroll children in unapproved secondary or senior secondary grades, the issue surfaces during Class 9 or 11 board registration. Unaffiliated schools are unable to register students directly with the board, forcing parents into stressful last-minute transfers or legal disputes. Verifying official affiliation online before paying non-refundable admission fees and tuition deposits protects both your finances and your child's educational trajectory.

Step-by-Step: How to Verify School Affiliation on CBSE SARAS Portal

1. Visit the Official CBSE SARAS Website:
   • Open your web browser and navigate to the official CBSE School Affiliation Re-engineered Automation System portal at saras.cbse.gov.in (or via the main cbse.gov.in portal under "Affiliation").
2. Access the "Directory of Affiliated Schools":
   • On the portal homepage, click on the "Directory of Affiliated Schools" link located in the primary navigation menu.
3. Search by School Name, Location, or Keyword:
   • Select your search criteria:
     • By Name: Enter the exact or partial name of the school along with the state/district.
     • By State/District: Select your state and district from the drop-down list to see all authorized CBSE schools in your area.
     • By Affiliation Number: If the school displays an affiliation code on its signboards, type it directly into the search bar.
4. Review Key Details on the School Information Card:
   • Once you locate the school in the search results, click on its profile card to inspect essential details:
     • Affiliation Status: Check whether the status is marked as "Active" and review the valid period (e.g., valid up to 2028).
     • Upgraded Level: Confirm the approved level of education—such as
       or
       .
     • Affiliation Number and School Code: Cross-check the 7-digit affiliation number with the receipt or prospectus given by the school administration.
5. Cross-Check the Disaffiliated Schools List:
   • For additional safety, check the "List of Disaffiliated/Downgraded Schools" tab on the SARAS homepage to ensure the institution has not been recently penalized or de-recognized by CBSE for compliance violations.