Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has laid down detailed guidelines for the conduct of its sports competitions, covering competition structure, eligibility, technical officials, grants, expenditure and grievance redressal.
The information was provided by Minister of State for Education Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
CBSE SPORTS COMPETITION FOLLOWS THREE-LEVEL STRUCTURE
Under the CBSE Games (Guidelines), competitions are organised at the Cluster, Zonal and National levels. Higher-participation games such as Athletics, Basketball, Football (Boys), Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Table Tennis and Volleyball are conducted at the Cluster level.
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Games including Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Chess, Football (Girls), Handball, Hockey, Judo, Shooting, Skating, Swimming, Taekwondo, Tennis and Yogasana are conducted at the Zonal level.
Aerobics, Gymnastics and Rope Skipping are held directly at the National level. Winners of Cluster and Zonal competitions qualify for the Nationals, while foreign schools compete under Foreign Zone(s) and qualify directly for the National level.
AGE CRITERIA AND STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
The age of participants is calculated as of December 31 of the year of the event. For 2026-27, the age criteria include Under-11 students born on or after January 1, 2016; Under-14 on or after January 1, 2013; Under-17 on or after January 1, 2010; and Under-19 on or after January 1, 2008.
Students are required to register online through a UID-based system, apply to participate and obtain confirmation from the organising school.
SCHOOLS MUST HIRE QUALIFIED SPORTS OFFICIALS
The CBSE guidelines specify that organising schools are responsible for hiring technically qualified and experienced umpires, referees and game officials from the District or State Sports Associations or Federations concerned to ensure fair play.
Organising schools are selected through online applications, recommendations from Regional Sports Committees and finalisation by the National Sports Committee. They are required to have adequate infrastructure, preferably as per Sports Authority of India specifications, and upload supporting videos.
CBSE PROVIDES FIXED SPORTS GRANTS
CBSE provides fixed Sports Grants to organising schools. The grant is Rs 2 lakh for Cluster/Zonal competitions and Rs 3 lakh for National competitions.
For Athletics and Swimming, the grant is Rs 4 lakh at Cluster/Zonal level and Rs 5 lakh at National level.
The total grants allotted to schools stood at Rs 6.32 crore in 2023-24, Rs 12.13 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 9 crore in 2025-26.
The grants can be used for approved expenses, including payment to referees and technical officials, ground maintenance, sports equipment, tentage, videography and other miscellaneous requirements.
SCHOOLS MUST SUBMIT AUDITED EXPENDITURE DETAILS
Organising schools are required to submit expenditure details along with a Utilisation Certificate. Their accounts and prescribed pro forma must be audited by a Chartered Accountant before being uploaded on the CBSE Integrated Payment System portal.
CBSE also audits these proformas and accounts through internal as well as external audit teams.
RS 1000 FEE FOR FILING SPORTS PROTESTS
The guidelines provide a formal mechanism for sports-related protests. A protest must be submitted in writing to the Organising Secretary within 30 minutes of the declaration of the result, along with a fee of Rs 1,000.
The matter is considered by the Jury of Appeal. If the protest is upheld, the fee is refunded; otherwise, it is forfeited. The decision of the Jury of Appeal is final and binding and is reported, along with the full facts, to the CBSE Sports Cell.
The CBSE guidelines also cover eligibility documents, disqualification, safety measures, accommodation and meals, certificates, medals and sport-specific rules. In case of any clash or ambiguity, the latest circular prevails.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
