In a significant move aimed at simplifying access to education, the Uttar Pradesh government has overhauled the admission process for underprivileged children under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. The key change involves removing the mandatory requirement of a child's Aadhaar card during the application process.
Key Changes in the RTE Admission Process
The state's Basic Education Department, led by Additional Chief Secretary Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, issued fresh directives on January 10, 2026, to streamline enrolment. The most notable shift is that the Aadhaar number of the child seeking admission is no longer a compulsory document for filing the online application.
Previously, applications under the RTE quota required the Aadhaar details of both parents and the child. Under the revised rules, only the Aadhaar card of one parent is needed. This is primarily to facilitate the direct benefit transfer of financial aid, as government support will be provided solely into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of the parents.
New Age Criteria and Verification Process
The government order has clearly defined age-eligibility for different entry-level classes, bringing much-needed clarity for applicants. The specified criteria are as follows:
- Children aged 3 or above, but below 4 years, are eligible for nursery.
- Children aged 4 or above, but below 5 years, are eligible for Lower Kindergarten (LKG).
- Children between 6 and 7 years of age are eligible for Class 1.
Furthermore, the entire document verification process will now be handled at the level of the Block Education Officer and the Basic Shiksha Adhikari. This decentralisation is expected to make the process more efficient and accessible for families across districts.
Two-Stage Lottery System for School Allocation
To ensure transparency and fairness in allotting seats, the state has introduced a structured two-stage online lottery system. The process will begin once applications are verified and approved by the District Magistrate or Chief Development Officer.
The first stage involves randomly shuffling all approved applications online. The second stage sees the allotment of schools. This will be done in lots of 100 applications, where schools are assigned to applicants based on their stated preferences, following the ascending order of the lottery number. The finalised list of allotments requires the approval of the District Magistrate.
The order also reiterates that, as per Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, 2009, the district-wise annual admission targets will cover up to 25% of the total capacity of the lowest entry class (Class 1 or pre-primary) in all unaided private schools within the district.
This comprehensive revision of the RTE admission rules in Uttar Pradesh is a proactive step towards reducing bureaucratic hurdles. It aligns with the government's stated goal of enhancing 'ease of living' for disadvantaged groups and ensuring the spirit of the Right to Education Act is fully realised.
