Notices are an important part of formal communication, especially in Indian schools, colleges, offices, and housing societies. Whether you’re writing a notice for a lost item, an event, or an announcement, the goal is to share specific information quickly and clearly with the targeted audience.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to write a proper notice, the structure to follow, and tips to make your notice effective. This format is especially useful for school exams, CBSE board writing questions, and even real-life applications.
What is a Notice?
A notice is a short piece of formal writing used to inform a specific group about an event, rule, meeting, or change. It is often displayed on notice boards in schools, offices, and societies or sent digitally. It must be brief, informative, and to the point.
A notice is always written in third-person and passive voice should be minimal to maintain clarity.
Standard Format of a Notice
Here’s the most accepted format of notice writing used in CBSE and state board schools across India:
- Name of the Institution or Organization (at the top center)
- Title – the word “NOTICE” in bold and capital letters
- Date – aligned left or right, depending on preference
- Heading or Subject – summarizes the topic of the notice
- Body Content – includes event details such as what, where, when, and who should attend or respond
- Signature
- Name and Designation – of the person issuing the notice
Each point is essential and must be followed without skipping. The tone should remain formal and informative.
If you’re not familiar with formal writing in schools, reviewing essay formats can also help you understand structured writing.
Tips for Writing a Good Notice
- Be Brief: Keep your notice between 50–100 words (excluding the format).
- Stay Relevant: Include only necessary facts — date, time, place, event details, and contact info (if any).
- Use Passive Only Where Needed: Avoid overuse of passive voice. For example: “Names must be submitted by…” is acceptable, but “It is being informed…” can often be avoided.
- Avoid I/You/We: Notices are formal and impersonal. Stick to third-person narration.
- Follow Uniform Structure: Stick to the school or institutional guidelines. Marks are often deducted in exams for incorrect format.
For more real-world examples of formal content, see this student-friendly article on the Indian Army Day celebration, which also follows structured writing.
When to Write a Notice?
Notices are used in multiple real-life and exam scenarios. Here are a few common reasons to issue a notice:
- Announcing a school function or sports event
- Informing about changes in schedule or bus timings
- Issuing office holidays or event reminders
- Alerting residents about utility issues in a housing society
- Inviting participation in college fests or public meetings
In schools, CBSE and ICSE exams often ask students to write notices based on such scenarios.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Writing in the first person (“I invite you…”) – Always use third person.
- Forgetting the signature or date – These are part of the official format.
- Including unnecessary personal comments or long explanations.
- Using informal tone or slang – Stick to formal English.
For a better understanding of formal writing styles in practice, you can refer to topics like the essay on education or public awareness pieces such as cleanliness in India.
Sample Notice Formats for Different Situations
Below are 6 notice writing examples of 300+ words each, following formal language, school/college-level tone, and clarity.
1. School Notice for Annual Sports Day
ABC Public School, Lucknow
NOTICE
Date: 17 July 2025
Subject: Annual Sports Day Celebration
All students of classes VI to XII are informed that our Annual Sports Day will be celebrated on 10th August 2025 at the school playground from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Students who wish to participate in any event must give their names to the Sports Teacher by 25th July 2025. Practice sessions will begin from 1st August after school hours.
Events include: 100m race, sack race, high jump, relay race, shot put, and long jump. Winners will receive certificates and medals. Parents are welcome to attend the function and support the participants.
All students must wear proper sports uniforms and bring water bottles. Further details are displayed on the school notice board.
(Signature)
Rahul Verma
Sports Secretary
2. Office Notice for Holiday Declaration
Skyline Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
NOTICE
Date: 17 July 2025
Subject: Office Closed on 21st July for Eid
All employees are hereby informed that the office will remain closed on 21st July 2025 (Monday) on account of Eid-ul-Adha. This holiday is granted as per the national holiday calendar. Regular office operations will resume from 22nd July 2025 (Tuesday).
All team leads must ensure their project timelines remain unaffected. Employees who require additional leave must follow the regular leave request process through the HR portal.
Wishing everyone a joyful and peaceful celebration.
(Signature)
Ritika Sharma
HR Manager
3. Society Notice for Water Supply Disruption
Green Valley Apartments Welfare Society
NOTICE
Date: 17 July 2025
Subject: Temporary Water Supply Disruption
Residents are informed that due to urgent repair work by the Municipal Water Department, there will be a disruption in water supply on 18th July 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All residents are requested to store sufficient water in advance and cooperate during the maintenance work. The society’s water tanker will be available near the community hall for emergency use. We regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.
(Signature)
Sandeep Joshi
Secretary, Green Valley AWA
4. College Notice for Cultural Fest Participation
Ramanujan College, University of Delhi
NOTICE
Date: 17 July 2025
Subject: Participation in Cultural Fest ‘VIBGYOR 2025’
All undergraduate students are invited to participate in the upcoming Cultural Fest ‘VIBGYOR 2025’, to be held on 5th–6th August 2025. Events include singing, dance, drama, debate, poetry, fashion show, and fine arts.
Registrations are open till 25th July. Interested students must submit the registration form to the Cultural Committee Room or fill it out online on the student portal. Practice sessions will begin after college hours from 27th July.
Participation certificates will be provided, and winners will get trophies and gift vouchers. Come, showcase your talent and bring pride to your department!
(Signature)
Dr. Asha Mehra
Cultural Committee Coordinator
5. Bus Schedule Change Notice in School
St. Joseph’s Convent School
NOTICE
Date: 17 July 2025
Subject: Change in School Bus Timings
All students and parents are informed that the school bus timings will be revised from 20th July 2025 due to monsoon season traffic delays. The new pick-up time for all morning routes will be 15 minutes earlier than the current schedule.
Updated route-wise timing charts are available at the school reception and on the school website. Parents are advised to make necessary arrangements accordingly. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring punctuality.
(Signature)
Mrs. Anjali Dey
Transport In-Charge
6. Company Notice for Fire Drill
TechCore Systems Pvt. Ltd.
NOTICE
Date: 17 July 2025
Subject: Fire Safety Drill on 24th July 2025
All staff members are hereby notified that a mandatory fire safety drill will be conducted on 24th July 2025 (Wednesday) at 11:00 a.m. sharp in collaboration with the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
Employees must assemble at the designated fire assembly points as instructed. Heads of departments are requested to ensure full participation from their teams. This drill is essential for everyone’s safety and part of our quarterly compliance.
(Signature)
Prateek Mathur
Admin Officer
Final Words
Writing a notice requires clarity, brevity, and formal language. Whether you’re drafting a school circular, college announcement, or corporate update, follow the correct format and share all essential details. For more formal writing references, check out our guides on Indian Army Day and the education system in India.