CBSE asks schools to expand digital payments and strengthen awareness

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked affiliated schools to promote wider use of digital payments across their campuses, covering routine transactions as well as financial awareness among students, teachers and parents.

The Board has issued a notice based on a comprehensive digital payments promotion plan developed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance. The initiative aims to expand access to digital payment systems, increase their usage and encourage safer digital transactions across the country.

According to the CBSE notice, the plan covers the wider education ecosystem, including schools, students and parents, with an emphasis on making digital payments more accessible and convenient.

Digital payments across school services

CBSE has advised schools to enable digital payment options, including UPI and RuPay cards, across various payment points on their campuses.

These may include school fees, canteen purchases, library services and other payments made by students and parents.

Schools located in areas with limited internet connectivity have also been encouraged to consider alternatives such as UPI Lite, UPI LiteX and UPI 123PAY. The Board has suggested demonstrations and assisted payment models to help users become familiar with these systems.

Schools encouraged to adopt BBPS for fee payments

The Board has also recommended that schools onboard the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) for fee collection.

BBPS provides a standardised and interoperable platform for bill payments and can help schools streamline recurring transactions. CBSE has further suggested integrating such systems with school ERP platforms to simplify regular payments, including salary payments to staff.

Focus on digital and financial literacy

The initiative also places emphasis on awareness and digital financial literacy within schools.

CBSE has advised schools to include digital payment awareness in teacher-training programmes and school-level campaigns. Financial literacy modules covering digital payments may also be introduced to help students understand the benefits and risks associated with electronic transactions.

Schools have been encouraged to extend these awareness efforts to parents through campaigns, school events and parent-teacher interactions.

The measures are aimed not only at increasing the use of digital payment systems in schools but also at helping students, staff and parents develop greater familiarity with safe, convenient and responsible digital transactions.