25% seats reserved in private schools for economically weaker children under RTE, applications from February 2

Taking a major step towards ensuring equal educational opportunities and social justice, the Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department has released the admission schedule for the academic year 2026–27 under the 25 per cent reservation in private schools as mandated by the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

Under this scheme, lakhs of children from economically weaker and deprived sections will get the opportunity to receive quality education in private schools across the state.

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According to departmental guidelines, the entire admission process will be conducted through an online portal. Eligible children applying for pre-primary classes and Class 1 will be selected through a lottery system to ensure transparency and fairness.

The department has instructed District Basic Education Officers and Block Education Officers in all districts to ensure that the admission of selected children is completed within the stipulated timeline. Schools will also be required to regularly upload the admission status on the portal.

The admission process will be carried out in three phases: First Phase: February 2 to February 16; Second Phase: February 21 to March 7, and Third Phase: March 12 to March 25

Officials said on Monday that an Aadhaar card of either parent, the child’s birth certificate, income certificate, residence certificate, caste certificate, ration card, and pension- or disability-related certificates will be mandatory for application.

No fees will be charged from children admitted under this scheme. The state government will reimburse private schools with the prescribed amount per student.

The objective of this initiative is to provide equal, quality, and modern education in private schools to children from economically and socially weaker sections, thereby securing and strengthening their future through education.

Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh said, “The provision of 25 per cent reservation in entry-level classes of private schools under the RTE Act offers children from deprived and economically weaker sections equal and quality educational opportunities. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening social justice and inclusion in education. Ensuring the Right to Education for every eligible child in the state is our highest priority.”

Director General of School Education Monika Rani said, “To make the RTE admission process transparent and simple, the schedule for all stages has been released. Through online application, verification, and a lottery system, it will be ensured that eligible children are admitted to private schools within the stipulated time. The education department will continuously monitor this process.”

Children aged 3–4 years for Nursery, 4–5 years for LKG, 5–6 years for UKG, and 6–7 years for Class 1 will be eligible for admission. Age will be calculated as of April 1, 2026.

Applications will be accepted exclusively through the RTE online portal, where parents will be required to upload the necessary documents. District and Block Education Officers will verify the applications, after which eligible children will be selected through a lottery system.

Under the scheme, children belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and other deprived categories have been included. These include orphaned children, persons with disabilities, children of parents suffering from cancer or HIV, and children of beneficiaries of disability, old-age, and widow pension schemes.