JEE · NEET · PARENT GUIDE

Dummy school vs SIP: which is better?

Why a school integrated programme beats a dummy school for JEE and NEET — and what CBSE's rules mean for your child.

IN SHORT

A school integrated programme (SIP) is the better choice. It teaches JEE or NEET preparation inside a regular school day, so students meet CBSE's 75% attendance rule for the board exams, while a dummy school enrols students who do not attend. At Mayo International School in East Delhi, the SIP runs with Physics Wallah and VMC. 34 Mayo students qualified JEE and 21 qualified NEET in 2026.

Updated 17 October 2026 · Mayo International School, Patparganj, East Delhi

CBSE attendance rule: 75% to sit the boards
Dummy school: Enrolled, not attending
SIP: Coaching inside the school day
JEE qualifiers (2026): 34
NEET qualifiers (2026): 21

What is a dummy school?

A dummy school keeps a student on its rolls while the student spends the day at a coaching centre and does not attend classes. Mayo International School does not offer dummy admission and does not support it: every Mayo student attends school, full time.

Why are dummy schools risky?

CBSE requires at least 75% attendance for a student to sit the Class X and XII board exams. A student who does not attend school risks not meeting that rule.

CBSE has carried out surprise inspections of schools running dummy admissions and has acted against schools found doing so, including withdrawing affiliation.

For the Delhi college quota (DTU, NSUT and Delhi's medical colleges), what counts is passing from a school in Delhi — a dummy enrolment that fails the attendance rule puts the board exam, and with it the quota, at risk.

Board exam eligibility depends on attendance
No school life: no labs, sport, friends or teachers who know the child
Board marks still matter for college admission and for some JEE and NEET routes
School fees and coaching fees are paid twice, plus the daily commute

Why is a school integrated programme (SIP) better?

In a SIP, the coaching partner teaches inside the school timetable. The board syllabus and the entrance-exam syllabus are taught together, so nothing is taught twice and nothing is missed.

Preparation with Physics Wallah and VMC happens inside the school timetable, not in a coaching centre after school.

Regular attendance — board eligibility is never in doubt
One day, one commute, one timetable
School teachers and coaching faculty working together
Labs, sport, clubs and friends stay part of the week

Dummy school vs SIP at a glance

Board exam attendance	SIP: regular attendance · Dummy: at risk
Coaching	SIP: inside the timetable · Dummy: separate centre
Daily travel	SIP: one commute · Dummy: school roll plus coaching
School life	SIP: labs, sport, clubs · Dummy: none
Recognition	SIP: regular CBSE student · Dummy: under CBSE scrutiny

Questions parents ask

Dummy school or SIP — which is better?

A school integrated programme (SIP) is better. It gives the same JEE or NEET preparation inside the school day, with regular attendance for CBSE board eligibility and none of the risks of a dummy school.

Is a dummy school legal?

CBSE requires 75% attendance to sit the board exams and has acted against schools running dummy admissions. A student who does not attend school risks board-exam eligibility.

Which school in East Delhi has a SIP?

Mayo International School in Patparganj runs integrated JEE and NEET programmes with Physics Wallah (Classes IX–XII) and VMC (Classes XI–XII).

Do SIP students do well in JEE and NEET?

At Mayo, 34 students qualified JEE and 21 qualified NEET in 2026, all while attending school.

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