After Two Decades, Druk Padma Karpo School in Ladakh Secures CBSE Affiliation
Druk Padma Karpo School, popularly known as “Rancho’s School” from the iconic Aamir Khan-starrer 3 Idiots, has finally secured affiliation with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), after over two decades of wait and watch by the founder. The affiliation comes after years of delays and multiple rejections.
Located in the cold desert of Ladakh, the school has been affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) until now. Renowned for its innovative teaching methods — well ahead of the reforms suggested by the new National Education Policy (NEP) — the school is celebrated for encouraging creativity and critical thinking over rote learning.
“We have finally received CBSE affiliation after several years of waiting. Our first batch of Class 10 students has already appeared for their CBSE board exams and are now awaiting their results,” said a school official.
Efforts to gain affiliation date back to before Ladakh was declared a Union Territory. With the new affiliation in place, the school has ambitious plans for the future. “The infrastructure is being expanded, and we aim to start Classes 11 and 12 by 2028,” the official added. “We are also conducting teacher training programs to ensure a smooth transition for students to the CBSE curriculum.”
The move is expected to open up wider academic opportunities for students from Ladakh and further strengthen Druk Padma Karpo School’s reputation as a model for progressive education in India’s high-altitude regions.