CBSE issues notice to affiliated schools on promotion of digital payments

New Delhi, Oct 2 (INB) The CBSE has advised its affiliated schools to promote digital payments for various financial activities, including fees and other services, as part of a plan developed by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, it said.
The DFS has developed a comprehensive Digital Payments Promotion Plan aimed at expanding access, increasing usage and promoting safe digital payment practices across the country, the CBSE said in an official statement issued on Thursday.
The plan envisages adoption of digital payments across the education ecosystem, covering schools, students and parents, the board said. Central Board of Secondery Education (CBSE) advised schools to enable digital payment options, including UPI and RuPay cards, at payment touch-points such as fee collection, canteens, libraries and other services.
Schools in low-connectivity areas may consider options such as UPI Lite, UPI LiteX and UPI 123PAY, while demonstrations and assisted usage models may be promoted to facilitate adoption, it added. The board also advised schools to onboard onto the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) for standardised, secure and interoperable fee collection and suggested integration with ERP systems for streamlining recurring payments.
On digital literacy, CBSE recommended incorporating digital payment awareness into teacher training programmes and school-level campaigns, besides promoting financial literacy modules covering digital payments. The board further suggested awareness campaigns for parents on safe and convenient digital payment practices through school campuses, events and parent-teacher interactions.