CBSE Digital Payments in Schools Circular 2026 | UPI, BBPS & RuPay Adoption
PROMOTION OF DIGITAL PAYMENTS IN SCHOOLS
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – Circular No. 12/2026, Dated 30.09.2026
Circular No.
12/2026
Issuing Authority
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Issued By
Varun Bhardwaj, Secretary, CBSE
Date
30th September 2026
Payment Modes
UPI & RuPay
At all payment touch-points
BBPS Integration
Fee Collection
Standardized & interoperable
Awareness Drive
Teachers & Parents
Digital literacy campaigns
Low-Connectivity Areas
UPI Lite / UPI 123PAY
For easy adoption
Background & Purpose
- Reference: This circular has reference to the communication received from the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, regarding adoption of digital payments across all schools.
- Digital Payments Promotion Plan: DFS has developed a comprehensive Digital Payments Promotion Plan with the objective of expanding access, increasing usage, and promoting safe digital payment practices across the country.
- Education Ecosystem: The Plan envisages acceptance and enablement of digital payments across the education ecosystem, covering schools, students, and parents.
- Advisory: All schools' Heads and Managers are advised to promote the digital payment system for various financial activities pertaining to their school.
- Approval: The circular is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority of the Board.
Measures for Promotion of Digital Payments in Schools
i. Universal Acceptance Infrastructure
- Schools may enable digital payments including UPI and RuPay card, across all payment touch-points such as fees, canteens, libraries, and other services.
- Schools in low-connectivity areas may adopt UPI Lite, UPI LiteX, and UPI 123PAY.
- Demonstrations and assisted usage models may be promoted for ease of adoption.
ii. BBPS Integration for Fee Payments
- Schools may onboard onto Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) for standardized, secure, and interoperable fee collection.
- Schools may integrate with ERP systems to streamline recurring payments including payment of salaries to staff.
iii. Awareness and Digital Literacy
- Schools may incorporate Digital payment awareness into teacher training programmes and school-level campaigns.
- Financial literacy modules including digital payments may be promoted.
- Awareness campaigns may be conducted for parents to promote safe and convenient usage.
- Awareness drives may be conducted within school campuses, during events, and through parent-teacher interactions.
Important Points to Note
- Objective: To expand access, increase usage, and promote safe digital payment practices across the education ecosystem.
- Payment Modes: UPI, RuPay card, and other digital payment methods to be enabled at all school payment touch-points.
- BBPS Onboarding: Schools encouraged to onboard Bharat Bill Payment System for secure fee collection.
- Low-Connectivity: UPI Lite, UPI LiteX, and UPI 123PAY recommended for areas with poor internet connectivity.
- ERP Integration: Schools may integrate with ERP systems to streamline recurring payments including staff salaries.
- Awareness Programmes: Digital payment awareness to be included in teacher training and school campaigns.
- Parent Engagement: Awareness campaigns and drives for parents to promote safe digital usage.
- Issuing Authority: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
- Signed By: Varun Bhardwaj, Secretary, CBSE.
- Approval: Issued with the approval of the Competent Authority of the Board.
Download the Official Circular or share this update:
📥 Download PDF Share on WhatsApp Share via Gmail Share on TelegramFrequently Asked Questions
What is this CBSE circular about?
This CBSE circular (No. 12/2026) advises all affiliated schools to promote digital payments across their financial activities, in line with the Digital Payments Promotion Plan developed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance.
Which digital payment modes are recommended?
Schools are advised to enable UPI and RuPay card payments across all touch-points. For low-connectivity areas, UPI Lite, UPI LiteX, and UPI 123PAY are recommended.
What is BBPS and why should schools onboard it?
BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System) is a standardized, secure, and interoperable bill payment system. Schools are encouraged to onboard BBPS for streamlined fee collection and integrate with ERP systems for recurring payments.
Which payment touch-points should schools enable digital payments at?
Schools should enable digital payments across all touch-points including fees, canteens, libraries, and other services.
What awareness programmes should schools conduct?
Schools should: (a) Incorporate digital payment awareness into teacher training programmes; (b) promote financial literacy modules; (c) conduct awareness campaigns for parents; and (d) conduct drives on campus, during events, and through parent-teacher interactions.
Is this circular mandatory for all schools?
Yes. All Heads and Managers of CBSE-affiliated schools are advised to promote digital payments. The circular has been issued with the approval of the Competent Authority of the Board.
Who issued this circular?
The circular has been issued by Varun Bhardwaj, Secretary, CBSE, on behalf of the Central Board of Secondary Education.
What is the circular number and date?
The circular number is CBSE/AFF/Circular/2026/12, dated 30th September 2026.
What is the objective of the Digital Payments Promotion Plan?
The Plan aims to expand access, increase usage, and promote safe digital payment practices across the country, with a specific focus on the education ecosystem covering schools, students, and parents.
Where can I download the official circular?
You can download the official CBSE circular using the Download PDF button provided on this page.
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