CBSE Games are governed by the comprehensive CBSE Games (Guidelines) (available on the CBSE sports portal) and the annual circulars (e.g., Circular No. Acad 19/2026). Key provisions include: 

 

1. Structure: Events are held at Cluster level (broadly state-based; higher-participation games such as Athletics, Basketball, Football (Boys), Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Table  Tennis, Volleyball), Zonal level (for lower-participation games such as Archery,  Badminton, Boxing, Chess, Football (Girls), Handball, Hockey, Judo, Shooting, Skating, Swimming, Taekwondo, Tennis, Yogasana), and National level. Certain  games (Aerobics, Gymnastics, and Rope Skipping) are held directly at National level. 

 

2. Age criteria: Calculated as on 31 December of the year of the event (e.g., for 2026- 27: Under-11 born on/after 01.01.2016; Under-14 on/after 01.01.2013; Under-17  on/after 01.01.2010; Under-19 on/after 01.01.2008). 

 

3. Eligibility and participation: Online registration of students (UID-based),  application to participate, and confirmation to the organising school. The winners of  Cluster/Zonal level competitions qualify for Nationals. Foreign schools compete  under Foreign Zone(s) and qualify directly to Nationals. 

 

4. Organising schools: Selected via online applications, Regional Sports Committee  recommendations, and finalisation by the National Sports Committee. Schools must  have adequate infrastructure (preferably as per SAI specifications) and upload  supporting videos.

 

5. Other rules: Cover eligibility documents, disqualification, safety measures, accommodation/meals (participants typically pay a prescribed daily charge), certificates (online generation); medals provided by CBSE, and sport-specific rules  (generally aligned with recognised federations/SGFI where applicable). In case of  clash/ambiguity, the latest circular prevails. 

As per the CBSE Games (Guidelines), the organising school is responsible for hiring technically qualified and experienced umpires/referees/game officials from the District/State Sports Associations/Federations of the concerned game to ensure fair play. 

CBSE provides a fixed Sports Grant to organising schools (not a variable year-wise budgetary allocation published separately for this purpose). As per the current Guidelines and Circulars (consistent across recent years, including 2023–24, 2024–25 and 2025–26  provisions): 

• Cluster/Zonal level: Rs 2,00,000 
• National level: Rs 3,00,000 
• Athletics and Swimming: Rs 4,00,000 (Cluster/Zonal) and Rs 5,00,000 (National). 

 

 

Year	Total Grant allotted to schools in र
2023-2024	6,32,00,000
2024-2025	12,13,00,000
2025-2026	9,00,00,000

 

 

The grant is to be utilised for the approved heads (payment to referees/ technical  officials/ observers, ground maintenance, sports equipments, tentage, videography,  miscellaneous, etc.).

 

Organising schools must submit expenditure details in the prescribed Proforma along with a Utilisation Certificate certifying that the grant has been fully utilised for the sanctioned purpose. The proforma includes a detailed Statement of Income & Expenditure (covering  accommodation, equipment, first-aid, tentage, referees/officials, ceremonies, photography,  TA/DA to Observer, transport, etc.). The organising schools are required to get the proforma and accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant before uploading on CBSE Integrated Payment System (IPS) portal. 

 

CBSE gets these proformas and accounts audited by internal as well as external audit teams. 

Fair conduct and adherence to rules: Technically qualified officials from the concerned District/State Sports Associations/Federations are hired by the organizing schools to ensure fair play. 

 

Grievance/Protest mechanism: Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Organising Secretary within 30 minutes of the declaration of the result, accompanied by a fee  of Rs 1,000. It is considered by the Jury of Appeal. Parties are heard. If the protest is upheld, the fee is refunded; otherwise, it is forfeited. The Jury’s decision is final and binding and is reported (with full facts) to the CBSE Sports Cell. 

 

All stakeholders are directed to follow the Rules of Sports & Games, and CBSE Games (Guidelines) available on the CBSE sports portal. Queries may be addressed to the  CBSE Sports Cell (e.g., via the contact details given in the circulars). 

 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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RRTN

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