Paying school fees could soon get easier for many families. Through Circular No. 12/2026, dated 30 September 2026, CBSE has advised its affiliated schools to promote digital payments on campus. The circular passes on a request from the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, under its Digital Payments Promotion Plan.
What schools are advised to do
- Accept digital payments everywhere: enable UPI and RuPay cards at all payment points, such as fees, canteens and libraries.
- Low-connectivity options: schools in areas with weak internet may use UPI Lite, UPI LiteX and UPI 123PAY.
- Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS): onboard to BBPS for fee collection, and integrate with school ERP systems for recurring payments.
- Awareness: add digital payment awareness to teacher training, promote financial literacy, and run sessions for parents at PTMs and school events.
The circular uses advisory language ("advised", "may") and does not set a deadline.
What this means for parents
- You may be able to pay fees through UPI apps or bill-payment apps instead of cash or cheques.
- Always keep the digital receipt for every fee payment.
- Pay only through the official channels your school shares. Never pay fees to a personal UPI ID.
When comparing schools for admission, it helps to ask how they collect fees and share receipts. Compare schools near you on PickMySchool.
Source: CBSE Circular No. 12/2026 (via StaffNews); Careerindia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it compulsory for CBSE schools to accept UPI?
No. Circular 12/2026 uses advisory language and sets no deadline, but encourages schools to accept UPI and RuPay at all payment points.
What should parents keep in mind when paying fees digitally?
Pay only through official channels the school shares and keep the digital receipt for every payment.
