CBSE Reiterates: No Need for Counter-Signature on Transfer Certificates Between Affiliated Schools

In a significant step toward simplifying school transfer procedures and strengthening its digital transformation drive, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has once again directed all affiliated schools not to send requests for counter-signatures on transfer certificates (TCs). The announcement comes as a reminder to ensure smooth and efficient student mobility across CBSE schools without administrative delays.

CBSE’s Directive: Ending an Outdated Practice

The CBSE officially reiterated that no transfer certificate (TC) issued by one CBSE-affiliated school requires a counter-signature from the Board’s headquarters or regional offices when a student transfers to another CBSE-affiliated institution. This directive reinforces a policy already in effect but reportedly not followed consistently by several schools.

According to CBSE Examination Controller, Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, despite earlier circulars eliminating this requirement, the Board continues to receive numerous requests for TC counter-signatures.

“However, the CBSE Headquarters and regional offices still receive requests for countersignature of transfer certificates. Non-compliance of CBSE guidelines by schools causes huge inconvenience to stakeholders and is also a hindrance to facilitating all in this age of digitisation,” Dr. Bhardwaj stated.

He further emphasized that the process of obtaining counter-signatures is obsolete in the digital era, where schools and students can easily verify authenticity through the Board’s online systems and data repositories.

A Move Toward Digital Simplification

This reminder aligns with CBSE’s broader initiative to digitise administrative processes and reduce unnecessary paperwork in educational institutions. The practice of counter-signature on TCs dates back to the pre-digital era, when official verification was necessary to ensure the authenticity of a student’s academic records.

With the integration of digital academic records, school affiliation codes, and online student data systems, CBSE has made it possible for schools to verify TCs directly through secure online portals. As a result, the manual countersigning process has become redundant and time-consuming.

The Board’s move also supports the Government of India’s Digital India Mission, aimed at promoting efficiency and transparency across all administrative functions, including education.

Ensuring Seamless Student Mobility

Transfer Certificates play a crucial role in a student’s academic journey, particularly during relocation due to parental job transfers or other personal reasons. Traditionally, many CBSE-affiliated schools demanded counter-signed TCs from students transferring from other institutions, even when both were under the CBSE umbrella.

This unnecessary step not only caused delays but also created administrative bottlenecks for parents, students, and schools. By reinforcing the removal of this requirement, CBSE ensures that students can transition between schools without bureaucratic hurdles.

The directive also guarantees that the transfer process remains quick, transparent, and standardised across all affiliated schools, whether they are in India or abroad.

A Reminder for Schools to Follow CBSE Norms

While the CBSE had officially discontinued the counter-signature requirement several years ago, many schools continued to adhere to outdated administrative practices. The latest communication from the Board serves as a strict reminder for all institutions to comply with the updated policy.

The Board observed that despite repeated instructions, some schools still approach regional offices or CBSE Headquarters for countersignature validation, leading to unnecessary workloads and confusion.

Dr. Bhardwaj’s statement underlined that such non-compliance creates “huge inconvenience to stakeholders”, referring primarily to parents and students who face unnecessary delays and expenses. The Board’s reassertion aims to eliminate these inefficiencies and establish uniform adherence to its simplified procedures.

Digitisation: The Future of CBSE Administration

CBSE has been progressively moving toward digital management of academic records through initiatives like DigiLocker and Parinam Manjusha, where students’ mark sheets, certificates, and other academic documents are stored electronically and can be accessed globally.

The removal of the countersignature requirement is part of this larger vision of creating a paperless, accountable, and interconnected education ecosystem.

Key benefits of this shift include:

• Faster verification: Schools can validate a TC instantly through the CBSE database.
• Error reduction: Digitisation minimizes the risk of forged or tampered documents.
• Accessibility: Parents and students can retrieve academic documents online without needing physical verification.
• Transparency: Eliminates manual interventions that could delay the process.

By embracing these systems, CBSE aims to create a 21st-century administrative framework that is efficient, trustworthy, and globally recognized.

Stakeholder Impact: Students, Parents, and Schools

This directive brings immense relief to students and parents who often face logistical and emotional stress during school transfers. With the new system, students changing schools within the CBSE network will no longer face delays caused by countersignature procedures.

For schools, this reduces paperwork and improves operational efficiency. It also encourages school administrators to update their internal policies in accordance with CBSE’s digital standards.

Furthermore, the move demonstrates CBSE’s commitment to modern governance, ensuring that its affiliated schools uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and ease of access.

CBSE’s Broader Vision for Digitised Education

The Board’s consistent focus on digital reforms reflects its evolving role in shaping India’s education ecosystem. Over recent years, CBSE has introduced several initiatives to improve school operations and student welfare, including:

• Online Affiliation and Examination Systems to streamline administrative tasks.
• AI-based Academic Monitoring Tools for performance tracking.
• Paperless Communication between CBSE, schools, and regional offices.
• E-Governance Initiatives that align with national digital policy frameworks.

By removing redundant bureaucratic steps like countersignatures, CBSE is signaling a shift toward a more autonomous and digitally empowered school system.

Conclusion: A Step Forward in Efficiency and Transparency

The CBSE’s reminder regarding transfer certificates is not merely an administrative update — it is a reflection of the Board’s commitment to modernization. In a time when education systems worldwide are adapting to digital ecosystems, CBSE’s decision ensures that its processes remain contemporary, student-friendly, and globally competitive.

Schools across India and abroad are now expected to fully comply with this directive, ensuring that transfer certificates are accepted without any demand for countersignatures between CBSE-affiliated institutions.