Top News

UP RTE Admission 2026: This is an opportunity to get free admission to private schools in Uttar Pradesh. The Basic Education Department of the Uttar Pradesh government has started the process for this. The department has initiated the process under the Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 to provide admission to children from low-income and disadvantaged groups in private schools. The application process at the district level started on February 2, 2026, but this time, a major change has been made to the RTE admission rules. Under this new rule, children of parents living in rented accommodations will not be able to apply for free admission under RTE in private schools in UP.

Let's find out how many seats in how many private schools in UP are available for admission under RTE? We will also learn about the application deadline and process, the required documents for admission, and why children living in rented accommodations will not be able to apply.

25% Seats Reserved under RTE, Fees and Uniforms Free
Before proceeding further, let's understand the details of free admission in private schools in UP. The Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 provides for free education up to the 8th grade. The RTE also provides for free education for children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (SC-ST, OBC, orphans, disabled, and dependents of widows) in private schools. For this, 25 percent of the seats in pre-primary classes in private schools are reserved for children from EWS and disadvantaged groups. Children admitted to these seats receive free school uniforms and are exempt from paying fees.

Admission Available on 210,000 Seats
The UP Basic Education Department has started the RTE admission process for private schools for the academic session 2026-27. This process has been initiated for admission to seats from nursery to class 1 in private schools across the state. According to data, the application process has started for more than 210,000 seats. Online applications can be submitted at the district level until February 16. Children of tenants will not be able to apply
The RTE (Right to Education) admission process has started in UP private schools, under which parents from EWS (Economically Weaker Section) and disadvantaged categories can apply for their children's admission. However, according to the rules of the Basic Education Department, a permanent residence certificate is mandatory for application, and those living on rent cannot obtain a permanent residence certificate. For this, registration of the house at the registrar's office is necessary. Therefore, parents living on rent cannot apply for their children's admission to private schools under the RTE.

Documents required for application:
Caste certificate issued by the Tehsildar (for SC, ST, OBC children)
Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card and annual income certificate issued by the Food Department
Health certificate issued by the Chief Medical Officer (for children with HIV, cancer)
Certificate issued by the competent authority (for orphaned children)
Certificate issued by the Health and Social Welfare Department (for children of disabled dependents or widowed women)
Residence certificate, voter ID card, ration card, and passport issued by the Tehsildar

Preventing children of tenants from applying is against the rules
The rules for the RTE admission process in UP private schools have been changed, under which parents living on rent will not be able to apply for their children. Opposition to this change in rules has begun. Shikha Sharma Bagga, an advocate in the Delhi High Court and Secretary of Justice for All, who works on EWS admissions and education, says that such rules violate the RTE. She says that the purpose of the RTE is to connect disadvantaged children with education. With these rules, such children will be excluded from the system.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from TV9. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.