25% seats reserved for economically weak children under RTE, applications to start from February 2

Children from financially weaker background will get the Right to Education in private schools; RTE admission schedule released

Opportunity to apply in three phases: applications to open January 2 , February 21, and 12 March

Objective is to provide equal, quality, and modern education in private schools to economically and socially weaker children: Sandeep Singh

Admission of eligible children will be ensured through online application, verification, and lottery system: Monika Rani

Lucknow, January 2026 : Taking a major step towards creating equal educational opportunities and social justice in the state, the Basic Education Department has released the admission schedule for the academic year 2026–27 through 25% reservation in private schools as per the RTE Act-2009. Through this scheme, lakhs of children from economically weaker and deprived sections will get the opportunity to receive quality education in private schools.

According to the departmental guidelines issued, the admission process will be conducted entirely through an online portal. Eligible children for Class 1 or pre-primary level will be selected through a lottery system to ensure transparency and equality.

The department has instructed District Basic Education Officers and Block Education Officers of all districts to ensure that the admission of selected children is completed within the prescribed time limit. In addition, schools will be required to upload the admission status on the portal.

These are the phase-wise application dates for admission

First Phase – February 2 to 16th

Second Phase February 21 to March 7th
Third Phase March 12 to 25th

Required documents for application

Aadhaar card of the applicant’s mother or father, birth certificate, income certificate, residence certificate, caste certificate, ration card, and pension or disability-related certificate will be mandatory.

Fee reimbursement

No fees will be charged from children enrolled in private schools. The government will provide the prescribed amount per student to the schools.

The objective of this arrangement is to provide equal, quality, and modern education in private schools to children from economically and socially weaker sections of society, so that their future can be secured and strengthened through education.

Sandeep Singh, Basic Education Minister, Uttar Pradesh said, “The provision of 25 percent reservation in entry-level classes of private schools under RTE provides children from deprived and economically weaker sections of society with 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.

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

Age Based Eligibility

Children aged 3 to 4 years for Nursery, 4 to 5 years for LKG, 5 to 6 years for UKG, and 6 to 7 years for Class 1 will be eligible for admission. Age will be calculated as of 01 April 2026.

Applications for admission will be made entirely online through the RTE portal. Parents will have to upload the required documents. After this, District Basic Education Officers and Block Education Officers will verify the applications, and eligible children will be selected through a lottery system.

Under this scheme, children from scheduled caste, scheduled tribe, and and other backward classes have been included in the deprived category. This includes orphaned children, disadvantaged groups, weaker sections, persons with disabilities, children of parents suffering from cancer or HIV, and children of disability, old-age, widow pension beneficiaries.