Starting from January1 , all CBSE affiliated schools will have to start collecting fees via cashless modes, according the direction from central board.The education board issued a circular on Saturday to all the 18,000 schools under it asking them to collect fees from students either online or through non-cash mode from the next quarter to reduce cash transactions.

“The schools should also make all payments for availing various services, procurements, wages to contractual workers and other transactions etc in non-cash mode,” the circular said.

Sources said cash payments will not be accepted for paying the fee at all affiliated private schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas.

Though the circular did not talk about the Centre’s demonetisation move, it is a nod to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation drive and an attempt to give a boost to cashless transactions.