CBSE’s new ‘Oil Board’ mandate aims to curb rising student obesity and promote healthier living
In a move that places student well-being at the heart of school life, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a fresh circular encouraging all affiliated schools to adopt “Oil Boards” as a visual cue to promote healthier dietary choices. “Oil Boards” refer to visual displays such as posters or digital screens placed in common areas that warn against excessive consumption of unhealthy fats and oils.The circulate dated July 15, 2025, comes as a natural extension of CBSE’s earlier “Sugar Boards” initiative, reinforcing its stance on preventive health through awareness and behavioural change among students.At the core of this initiative is a growing concern around obesity in India, especially among children and adolescents. Data from NFHS-5 (2019–21) shows that one in five adults in urban India is overweight or obese. More worryingly, a recent study published in The Lancet projects that the number of overweight and obese adults in India will more than double by 2050. Lifestyle-induced health conditions, once confined to adults, are now steadily impacting teenagers due to excessive consumption of high-fat and sugary foods combined with reduced physical activity.
Schools to lead the way
In response, CBSE is urging schools to turn students into stakeholders in their own health journeys. Schools are now encouraged to:• Install “Oil Boards” across cafeterias, hallways, and common rooms to initiate conversations among students about the impact of high-fat diets.• Print health-conscious messages on school diaries, notebooks, and folders, offering daily prompts for students to rethink their food and activity habits.• Make healthier food options more accessible on campus, focusing on fresh fruits, vegetables, and low-fat alternatives, while simultaneously curbing the sale of packaged snacks and sugary drinks.• Promote physical activity by organising “movement breaks,” encouraging stair usage, and creating walkable routes within the school premises.Importantly, the initiative invites students to be creators, not just consumers. Schools are advised to integrate Oil Board design into class projects, encouraging students to research, conceptualise, and create health communication content, a valuable exercise in both life skills and creative expression.The circular also directs schools to refer to relevant educational content available on FSSAI’s official YouTube channel. Institutions can further connect with FSSAI at iec@fssai.gov.in for resources or guidance.This initiative underscores a growing consensus that the classroom can no longer remain isolated from the larger questions of student health and lifestyle. With visual nudges, peer engagement, and school-wide involvement, CBSE hopes to instill lasting habits in students, ones that extend beyond academics and into the fundamentals of well-being.For today’s generation navigating academic pressure, digital fatigue, and changing food patterns, CBSE’s move is a reminder that learning to make healthier choices is as vital as learning to solve equations. Explore the complete CBSE circular on this initiative here.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
