Jaipur, 31 December 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled the affiliation of the prestigious Neerja Modi School in Jaipur with immediate effect after a detailed inquiry found “grave, flagrant and wilful non-compliance” of mandatory child safety and student welfare norms in connection with the suicide of a nine-year-old Class 4 student earlier this year.
The board’s decision, outlined in an eight-page order dated December 30, 2025, follows an official probe into the tragic incident on November 1, when the young girl allegedly jumped from the fourth floor of the school building.
Lapses, Bullied Student and System Failures
A CBSE-appointed inquiry panel identified multiple lapses by the school’s administration in handling the child’s distress and concerns. The girl’s parents had reportedly raised complaints about persistent bullying as early as July 2024, but these were not effectively addressed, the panel noted.
According to the investigation, the student approached her class teacher five times in the final 45 minutes before her death seeking help, but there was no timely or effective intervention. The panel also observed a failure of the school’s counselling mechanisms and grievance redressal systems, elements that are essential under CBSE’s child safety regulations
Gross Violations, Unsafe Environment
A senior CBSE official said the probe concluded that the school had grossly violated the mandatory provisions of the Affiliation Bye-Laws, which govern safety, security, and overall welfare of students. These include the duty to maintain safe infrastructure, monitor student wellbeing, and act on reports of bullying or harassment. The official described the violations as “unacceptable for an affiliated school” and considers student safety paramount.
Affiliation Withdrawal and Student Transition
The CBSE has ordered that the school’s affiliation up to the Senior Secondary School Examination level be withdrawn immediately. However, to protect student interests, Class 10 and Class 12 students will be allowed to appear for their board examinations for the 2025-26 session from the same school.
Students currently enrolled in Classes 9 and 11 will be shifted to nearby CBSE-affiliated schools for the 2026-27 academic year, and the school is barred from taking any new admissions or promoting lower class students to Classes 9 and 11.
Future Re-Affiliation Conditions
Neerja Modi School may apply for restoration of secondary level affiliation after one academic year (from 2027-28), provided it fully complies with all safety and child protection norms. Re-affiliation up to the senior secondary level would only be considered after at least two academic years of regained secondary affiliation.
Background and Broader Implications
The decision follows a show-cause notice issued by the CBSE last month highlighting serious issues including lack of compliance with child safety guidelines and inadequate response to parental communications and student distress.
The action has reignited discussions nationwide about student safety, mental health support in schools, bullying prevention, and the responsibility of educational institutions to create supportive environments for children.