CBSE asks affiliated schools to promote digital payments for fees and other transactions

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has advised its affiliated schools to promote digital payments for various financial activities as part of a wider initiative by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance.

In a circular issued on Sep 30, CBSE said the DFS has developed a Digital Payments Promotion Plan aimed at expanding access to digital payments, increasing their use and encouraging safe digital payment practices. The plan covers the education ecosystem, including schools, students and parents.

CBSE has asked school heads and managers to take steps to promote digital payment systems for financial activities associated with their institutions.

UPI, RuPay suggested for school payments

Under the advisory, schools may enable digital payment options such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay cards across different payment points.

These include school fees, canteen purchases, library services and other school-related services. Schools in areas with limited connectivity may consider options such as UPI Lite, UPI LiteX and UPI 123PAY.

The board has also suggested demonstrations and assisted-use models to help students, parents and other users become familiar with digital payment methods.

Schools may use BBPS for fee collection

CBSE has advised schools to consider onboarding the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) for fee collection.

The system can provide a standardised and interoperable mechanism for collecting school fees. Schools may also integrate payment systems with their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms to streamline recurring payments, including salary payments to staff.

The circular frames these measures as recommendations. It does not state that every affiliated school is required to adopt UPI, RuPay or BBPS.

Focus on digital payment awareness

Along with expanding payment facilities, CBSE has asked schools to promote awareness about digital payments and financial literacy.

Schools may include digital payment awareness in teacher training programmes and school-level campaigns. Financial literacy modules covering digital payments can also be promoted among students.

The board has further suggested awareness programmes for parents on the safe and convenient use of digital payment methods. These campaigns may be conducted on school campuses, during school events and through parent-teacher interactions.

The initiative follows the Finance Ministry's broader effort to increase the use of digital payments across the education ecosystem. CBSE's latest advisory extends that focus to financial transactions and awareness activities within affiliated schools.