Gurgaon, Haryana: The Haryana government has directed private schools to complete admissions of students selected under the Right to Education (RTE) Act within a fixed deadline or face action, following reports of delays and non-compliance. The Directorate of Elementary Education has made it clear that all admissions for the 2026–27 academic session must be finalised between April 30 and May 9, stressing that any deviation from the timeline could invite strict penalties. The move aims to ensure that children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (DG) are not denied timely access to education.
The directive comes after the online lottery for RTE admissions was conducted on April 29, through which eligible students were allotted seats in private schools across the state. Authorities have instructed that parents must report to allotted schools within 10 days of the result, failing which the seat will be automatically cancelled. Schools, on their part, have been told to process admissions without delay and verify documents promptly.
Officials have emphasized that no school can deny admission to a selected student without valid and documented reasons, reinforcing that RTE admissions are mandatory under the law. Rejection of applications will only be permitted in specific cases, such as failure to provide required documents or if an applicant under the EWS category exceeds the prescribed income limit of ₹1.8 lakh annually. Notably, authorities clarified that no income cap applies to students under the disadvantaged group category.
The state government’s warning follows broader concerns about delays and irregularities in the implementation of RTE provisions, particularly in districts like Gurgaon where demand for private schooling remains high. In recent years, authorities have identified issues such as schools failing to update admission data, delaying verification, or not admitting allotted students on time, prompting repeated interventions by the education department.
According to official data, over 21,700 children have been allotted seats in private schools across Haryana under the RTE quota this year, out of tens of thousands of applications received. The allocation covers entry-level classes such as nursery, LKG, UKG, and Class 1, where 25% of seats are reserved under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, 2009.
Authorities have also reiterated the importance of neighbourhood criteria, under which schools must prioritise children living within a 0–1 km radius, with some flexibility for those residing within 1–3 km. School-level committees have been directed to conduct on-ground verification of documents, including proof of residence, age, and category eligibility, to ensure transparency in the process.
Officials said the strict timeline is necessary to prevent disruption to the academic session, as delays in admission can lead to learning gaps and adjustment challenges for children from vulnerable backgrounds. The government has stressed that timely admission is critical to uphold the objectives of inclusive education and equal opportunity, which form the core of the RTE framework.
The directive also signals a zero-tolerance approach towards non-compliance, with authorities warning that schools failing to follow guidelines may face regulatory action, including penalties or further scrutiny of recognition status. District education officers have been tasked with closely monitoring the admission process and ensuring that all eligible students are enrolled without discrimination.
The latest development reflects the Haryana government’s effort to strengthen enforcement of RTE provisions and improve accountability among private schools, particularly in urban centres like Gurgaon. With the admission deadline approaching, both schools and parents are expected to adhere strictly to the timeline to avoid cancellations and ensure that eligible children secure their seats without delay.
