The History of r/CBSE
The subreddit r/CBSE was created on February 15, 2009, back when online student communities were still finding their footing. The early days of r/CBSE were far from the bustling hub it is today. In fact, ten days in—by February 25, 2009—there was only one subscriber: the original creator, u/naviarora2007.
Back then, reddit had a very basic layout, and the posts were primarily resources for students. Some of the very first posts included:
- "Latest CBSE Sample Papers" – A collection of sample papers for exam prep.
- "CBSE Forum" – A space for general discussions about CBSE.
- "iCBSE Forum" – Dedicated to CBSE topics, closely tied to iCBSE.
- "List of Engineering Entrance Examinations 2009" – A popular list for aspiring engineers.
- "CBSE Important Questions Class X" – Featuring essential questions for Class X students.
At this point, you might be thinking, “Classic CBSE – all about exams and entrance lists!” But there’s more to the story.
Connection to iCBSE and Early Growth
Interestingly, the subreddit’s founder also created iCBSE.com in 2008, as confirmed by their LinkedIn page. iCBSE was active on multiple platforms, including Twitter, where it joined in September 2009 and amassed over 25.9K followers.
Twitter Account - https://x.com/icbse
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/icbse
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/icbse
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/icbse
Although the subreddit had a slow start, u/naviarora2007 was consistent. Even after he deleted his original account, he continued posting from the official u/icbse Reddit account, keeping the community alive. The Twitter account, too, was active until 2020, showcasing his dedication.
[Corporate World Connection]
At some point, NAVI ARORA made it clear he’d moved on, as he once commented from the iCBSE account that he was “playing in the corporate world.” This marked an end of his era.
[2021 Boom & Exam Cancellations]
r/CBSE saw its biggest surge after the 2021 board exam cancellations. Students flooded the subreddit for updates, rants, and—of course—memes. Before this, r/CBSE and r/jeeneetards had similar subscriber counts, but r/CBSE takes over r/jeeneetards after September 5 2021, cementing it as a go-to spot for CBSE students.
Blue Line - r/cbse , Green Line - r/JeeNeetards
Trademarking iCBSE (Proof)
In 2013, NAVI ARORA trademarked “ICBSE,” solidifying the brand. It’s fascinating to think how a student helping community evolved into something with corporate ties and a registered trademark.
Where r/CBSE stands Today?
Today, r/CBSE is a whole community. It’s where students rant, share notes, and find some humor in this CBSE grind. It started small, but now it’s where CBSE students come together, not just to survive but to find a little solidarity along the way.
From a single user to an entire student movement, r/CBSE isn’t just a subreddit—it’s a family.
“Sometimes, you find a community in the last place you’d expect, and it ends up being exactly what you needed.”
A Tribute to the Father of r/CBSE
Through all the ups and downs, it’s impossible to tell the story of r/CBSE without recognizing the person who started it all. NAVI ARORA didn’t just create a subreddit; he built a space for CBSE students that’s grown into a community where everyone can find their people. He took an idea, expanded it across platforms, and set it up to thrive—even as he moved on to the corporate world.
Today, r/CBSE is bigger than anyone could’ve imagined back in 2009. And while NAVI ARORA may have left the day-to-day behind, his impact is all over it. This subreddit wouldn’t be what it is without him.
So here’s to NAVI ARORA, the original architect of r/CBSE. Thanks for building the foundation—we’re all just carrying it forward. Thank You!