'Rancho’s School' gets CBSE nod: Famous '3 Idiots' Ladakh school gets affiliated after 20 years

NEW DELHI: Druk Padma Karpo School, famously known as "Rancho’s School" from the film 3 Idiots, has finally secured CBSE affiliation more than 20 years after it was established.
Located in Ladakh’s cold desert region, the school had been pursuing the clearance even before Ladakh became a Union Territory.
The school, which featured memorably in 3 Idiots in 2009, faced multiple delays and rejections over the years. It was previously affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).
"We have finally got the CBSE affiliation after delay of several years and our first batch of class 10 students is now waiting for their CBSE board exam results," school principal Mingur Angmo told PTI.
Despite having strong infrastructure, excellent academic records, the school struggled to obtain the required No Objection Certificate (NOC) from JKBOSE for many years.
"Though we had all the required infrastructure in place, excellent result record and focus on innovative ways of teaching and learning, we didn't get the NOC from the JKBOSE despite several attempts all these years," Angmo said.
According to CBSE rules, schools must get an NOC from their state board to apply for affiliation. International schools must get similar documents from their embassy or Indian Consulate.
Now that CBSE affiliation is in hand, the school plans to extend classes up to Year 12 by 2028.
"The infrastructure is already being expanded and we plan to start class 11 and 12 by 2028. We are conducting some training for our teachers to facilitate a smooth transition for students to the CBSE curriculum. Our methods of teaching were different from traditional classroom teaching and with the CBSE also reforming its pedagogy after the NEP, it will be easier for us to blend both," Angmo said.
Recognised for its progressive teaching approach well before the National Education Policy (NEP) suggested reforms against traditional "rot learning", Druk Padma Karpo School has earned praise across India.
The institution was founded 24 years ago and named after Mipham Pema Karpo (1527-1592), a renowned scholar. 'Padma Karpo' translates to 'White Lotus' in Bothi language.
The school is also a popular tourist destination, due to its link with 3 Idiots. A wall at the school became famous in the film’s closing scene, where a character, Chatur, receives a shock while attempting to urinate on it.
In 2018, the school decided to relocate the 'Rancho’s Wall' slightly, ensuring that students could focus on their studies without being disturbed by the many visitors.
Post-bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, many schools in Ladakh continue to remain under JKBOSE. A special committee had suggested setting up a separate territorial board to better suit the environmental and educational needs of Ladakh's students.
With CBSE affiliation now achieved, Druk Padma Karpo School looks forward to smoother transitions for its students into higher education.
"With CBSE affiliation, the transition for higher education in the country and abroad will be easier for our students and we can set an example of blending traditional classroom learning with innovative and play-way methods of teaching," Angmo added.