CBSE Mandates 'Sugar Boards' in Schools to Combat Rising Diabetes Among Students

New Delhi, May 17, 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all its affiliated schools across India to set up ‘Sugar Boards’ on their campuses to raise awareness about the health risks of excessive sugar consumption. This directive, issued on May 17, 2025, follows a recommendation from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which highlighted a sharp increase in Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dental issues among school-going children.

The CBSE notification stated that, according to various studies, children aged 4 to 10 consume sugar accounting for 13% of their daily calorie intake, while those aged 11 to 18 consume up to 15%—both figures significantly higher than the recommended limit of 5%. This overconsumption, the board notes, is a major contributor to a range of metabolic disorders and can adversely impact children's long-term health and academic performance.

To address these concerns, CBSE has instructed schools to prominently display ‘Sugar Boards’ that provide critical information on:

1. Recommended daily sugar intake
2. Sugar content in commonly consumed foods and drinks
3. Health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption
4. Healthier dietary alternatives

In addition to these boards, schools are expected to organise awareness seminars and workshops aimed at educating students about mindful eating and the long-term benefits of reducing sugar intake.

Furthermore, CBSE has mandated that schools submit a concise report along with photographs of these activities in PDF format by July 15, 2025. This initiative is part of CBSE’s broader strategy to cultivate healthier school environments and to instill lifelong nutritional awareness among students, aiming to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle-related illnesses from an early age.

Source: NDTV