CBSE mandates CCTV with real-time audio-visual monitoring in schools to strengthen student safety

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all schools under its affiliation to install high-definition CCTV cameras with real-time audio-visual monitoring, according to a circular released on Monday.

The step is part of a broader push to strengthen the safety infrastructure for students across educational institutions.

The directive, issued on Monday, mandates the installation of cameras in key areas of school premises — including classrooms, corridors, libraries, canteens, playgrounds, and entry/exit points.


Schools have been asked to ensure that the surveillance footage is preserved for at least 15 days and remains accessible for review by authorities if needed.

Surveillance coverage across campuses

The CBSE’s latest guidelines require comprehensive CCTV coverage, excluding private spaces such as toilets and washrooms. Cameras must be installed at all high-traffic zones: stairwells, laboratories, storerooms, lobbies, and other common areas.

To ensure consistency and accountability, schools must maintain backup systems and perform regular checks on equipment functionality. The Board emphasised that failure to comply with these requirements could impact a school’s affiliation status.

Aligned with national child safety norms

The directive draws from safety standards outlined in the Manual on Safety and Security of Children in Schools by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR). The manual calls for schools to build secure environments that protect children from physical, emotional, and psychological harm.

A notable emphasis is placed on addressing emotional safety, particularly bullying, which the manual links to long-term mental health challenges such as chronic stress and reduced self-esteem. Through enhanced monitoring, CBSE hopes to foster not just physical safety but also a more emotionally secure school environment.

In its circular, CBSE underlined that ensuring student well-being is a shared responsibility among educators, staff, and school management. The integration of surveillance technology, it said, is intended not as a punitive tool but as a support system for safer, more cohesive campuses.