Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
Rajasthan Police SI Vacancy 2025 REET Notification 2025 UPPSC RO ARO Admit Card 2025 Bihar Police Driver Vacancy 2025 UP GIC Lecturer and Assistant Professor Notification 2025 RPSC Senior Teacher 2025 Notification RPSC School Lecturer 2025 Notification UPSC Mains Exam Schedule 2025 UGC NET June 2025 Result Date Bihar Sakshamta Pariksha Admit Card 2025 UP LT Grade Teacher Notification 2025 in Hindi UP LT Grade Teacher 2025 Notification UPSC CMS Admit Card 2025 Out HTET New Exam Date 2025 OTET Admit Card 2025 RRB Railway Teacher Application Status 2025 CSIR NET Exam Date 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
ISRO Space Missions
NVS-02 ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-A ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-B ISRO Space Mission Proba-3 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-N2 ISRO Space Mission EOS-08 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DS ISRO Space Mission XPoSat ISRO Space Mission Aditya-L1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-3 ISRO Space Mission NVS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-07 ISRO Space Mission INS-2B ISRO Space Mission EOS-06 ISRO Space Mission EOS-02 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-24 ISRO Space Mission INS-2TD ISRO Space Mission EOS-04 ISRO Space Mission EOS-03 ISRO Space Mission CMS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-01 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-30 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2BR1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan 2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2B ISRO Space Mission EMISAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-31 ISRO Space Mission Microsat-R ISRO Space Mission GSAT-7A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-11 ISRO Space Mission HysIS ISRO Space Mission GSAT-29 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1I ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6A ISRO Space Mission INS-1C ISRO Space Mission Microsat ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1H ISRO Space Mission GSAT-17 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-19 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-9 ISRO Space Mission Cartosat-2 Series Satellite INS-1A ISRO Space Mission INS-1B ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-18 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DR ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1G ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1F ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-15 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1D ISRO Space Mission Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) ISRO Space Mission GSAT-16 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1C ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1B ISRO Space Mission GSAT-14 ISRO Space Mission Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft GSAT-7 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3D ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1A ISRO Space Mission SARAL ISRO Space Mission GSAT-10 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-1 ISRO Space Mission Megha-Tropiques ISRO Space Mission GSAT-12 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-8 ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2 ISRO Space Mission YOUTHSAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-5P ISRO Space Mission GSAT-4 ISRO Space Mission Oceansat-2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-1 ISRO Space Mission IMS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4CR ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4B ISRO Space Mission SRE-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4A ISRO Space Mission HAMSAT ISRO Space Mission EDUSAT ISRO Space Mission IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3A ISRO Space Mission KALPANA-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3C ISRO Space Mission GSAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3B ISRO Space Mission Oceansat(IRS-P4) ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2E ISRO Space Mission IRS-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2D ISRO Space Mission IRS-P3 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2C ISRO Space Mission IRS-P2 ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1E ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C ISRO Space Mission IRS-1B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1C ISRO Space Mission SROSS-2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1B ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-D2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1A ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-II ISRO Space Mission Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) ISRO Rohini Satellite RS-D1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Technology Payload (RTP) ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-I ISRO Space Mission Aryabhata ISRO Space Mission
Home / UPSC Editorials / Right to Education (RTE) Act

Right to Education (RTE) Act: Provisions, Features & More | UPSC Editorials

Last Updated on Aug 20, 2024
Also Read Right to Education (RTE) Act in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Why Loksabha Speaker & Deputy Speaker are in News? Why Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and NEET are in news? Indo-Bangladesh Relations Manipur Conflict National Emergency in India 1975 Balancing Religious Traditions and Human Dignity India-West Diplomatic Relations India Needs a National Security Strategy Judicial Oversight in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act India Russia Bilateral Relations Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) COP 28 Climate Summit Muslim Women’s Right to Maintenance NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals Report India Mauritius Relations Supreme Court Ruling on the Citizenship Case Economic Outlook Survey 2023-24 Union Budget 2024-25 Person with Disability

A recent Bombay High Court judgment striking down a Maharashtra government order trying to give a go-by to a seminal provision of the Right to Education Act has escalated to several notches the debate about state complicity in undermining children's rights. The Maharashtra government order exempted private schools from reserving one-fourth of their seats for children belonging to economically weaker sections, if there were government schools within a 1-km radius. This judgment points towards the sustained efforts by some of the governments to water down the provisions a landmark law had made to secure fairness in education.

Analysis based on 

Editorial How state governments have undermined right to education published in The Indian Express on August 17th, 2024

Topics for UPSC Prelims

Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Digital Initiatives in Education, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Role of NITI Aayog in educational reforms, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

Topics for UPSC Mains

Major Education Schemes, Digital Transformation in Education, Gender and Social Inclusion in Education, New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Legislative measures and amendments related to education, Nutritional and Health Interventions in Education, Indian education system problems

What is the Right to Education Act?

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act of 2009 is one of the most significant pieces of legislation in India, which aims at providing free and compulsory education to children between the ages of 6 and 14. It shall develop and ensure an inclusive and just environment for quality education that bridges the socio-economic disparities. This paper deliberates on the background of the Act, constitutional provisions, salient features, achievements, importance, limitations, and glimpse into the future.

Background of the Act

India's journey towards universal education has been long and complex. Efforts to operationalize free and compulsory education date back to the starting years of the 20th century, when prestigious leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale raised their voice for it as early as in 1911. Post-Independence, the outline for universal education was given by the Kothari Commission between 1964-66; however, the substantial step only came in the form of the 86th Constitutional Amendment in 2002. The Amendment recognized elementary education as a Right, thus providing a strong foundation for the RTE Act.

The Parliament of India passed the RTE Act in 2009, which became effective on April 1, 2010. It was implemented based on Article 21A of the Constitution, which sought to make quality education available and accessible to all children, irrespective of their groups and classes of the social order.

Read the article on Higher and Technical Education!

UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Constitutional Provisions for the RTE Act

The RTE Act owes to many constitutional provisions under the direct command of the Constitution urging the state:

  • Article 21A: Inserted through the 86th Amendment, this article imposes an obligation on the State to provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of 6-14 years.
  • Article 45: Formerly under the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in Part IV of the Constitution, it imposed an obligation on the State to provide free and compulsory education for children until they complete the age of fourteen years.
  • Article 51A(k): This article makes it obligatory on the part of the parents or guardians to ensure educational opportunities for the children from 6 to 14 years.

The historical and judicial landmarks further cement this right.

  • Ramamurti Committee Report (1990): It was the first official report on the concept of the right to education.
  • Unnikrishnan J.P. vs State of Andhra Pradesh & Others (1993): In this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court held that the right to education flows from the right to life under Article 21.
  • Tapas Majumdar Committee (1999): Recommendations led to insertion of Article 21A, thus putting the fundamental right to education under it.
  • 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002): The amendment to the Constitution inserted Article 21A and provided that further legislation providing, inter alia, the parameters for this right would have to be made. It was this amendment that led to the RTE Act 2009.

Read the article on Higher Education Quality Mandate!

Salient Features of the Right to Education Act (RTE)

The RTE Act is very comprehensive and detailed. Important features of the act are:

  • Free and Compulsory Education: According to the Act, no child should be deprived of education attached to a school due to financial constraints.
  • Neighborhood Schools: Schools should be located appropriately with respect to children's homes.
  • Infrastructure Norms: School infrastructure must provide a standard number of classrooms, toilets, drinking water, and playgrounds.
  • Pupil-Teacher Ratio: The RTE Act prescribes an ideal ratio to provide individual attention to every child.
  • Teacher Qualifications and Training: Ensures that every teacher is professionally qualified with adequate qualifications and continuous professional development.
  • Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE): Introduces a holistic pattern of evaluation, eliminating the need for the system of regular examination.
  • Inclusion of Marginalized Groups: It provides for 25% reservation in private unaided schools for children belonging to economically backward classes and disadvantaged groups.
  • Zero Tolerance for Physical Punishment: Banning of physical punishment/practices and abolishing mental harassment of children.

Read the article on the Evolution of India's Education Policy!

Achievements of the Right to Education Act (RTE)

RTE has radically changed things in various dimensions; among them are:

  • Increased Enrollments: It has contributed to a higher rate of enrollment, especially for girls and children from marginalized communities.
  • School Infrastructure: The physical infrastructure of a higher proportion of schools has improved, making the learning environment more favorable.
  • Teacher Development: Emphasis on training and professional development of teachers has positively influenced the quality of teaching.
  • Social Inclusion: The Act has helped increase inclusion of children coming from varied economic backgrounds into the stream of mainstream education.
  • Reduced Dropout Rates: The action under the RTE has reduced the dropouts and ensures more completion of elementary education.

Read the article on the National Digital Education Architecture NDEAR!

Significance of the Right to Education Act

The RTE Act has importance in the following ways:

  • Democratization of Education: It makes the ability to get education even, thereby removing socio-economic barriers.
  • Strong footing to Sustainable Development: Education is a strong means of increased economy, growth, and social development, and also promotes better health.
  • Legal Enforceability: Making it a fundamental right, this Act becomes legally enforceable for a citizen to claim accountability upon.
  • Quality and Holistic Education: With the instrument of implementation as CCE and teacher training, the aim of the act is to reach beyond enrollment and establish quality perception.
  • Empowerment of Marginalized Groups: This Act is instrumental to bring in social justice and the empowerment of the disadvantaged groups.

Read the article on Vocational Education in India!

Limitations of the Right to Education Act

Right to Education Act, though helps in achieving such a lot, still has some limitations as stated below:

  • Implementation Disparities: There exists varied compliance between the states due to lack of resources and administrative problems.
  • Quality Issues in Education: The area of quality is a big challenge in education, despite broader access being provided.
  • Infrastructure Over Emphasis: There is adequate emphasis required on infrastructure vis-a-vis the outcome of education.
  • Lack of Teacher Training: There are long-standing inadequacies in the training of teachers that directly impact what education provisions can achieve.
  • Financial Constraints: Inadequate financing is one of the factors that limit the full program implementation of the RTE's mandates.
  • Limited Age Coverage: The Act only lends itself to children aged between 6 and 14 years, neglecting early childhood and secondary education.

Read the article on the Education System in India during British Rule!

Government Efforts in Promoting Education

The Government of India has been taking several steps in the school education sector to further strengthen the objectives envisaged under RTE. The major ones are as follows:

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

Launched in 2001, the SSA seeks to universalize elementary education through community ownership of the school system. This includes some of the important strategies like opening new schools, adding new classrooms, and other infrastructural facilities such as toilets and drinking water. SSA also indulged in the enhancement of the quality of teachers through training and development programs.

Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Through this programme, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme since 1995 has provided free lunches to children in primary and upper primary classes in government and government-aided schools. That was an effort that was taken towards providing a practically useful improvement in nutritional levels of children and increasing attendance and enrollment rates.

Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan

The RMSA was launched in 2009 to improve access to secondary education and enhance its quality. It has so far focused on the opening of new secondary schools, upgradation of existing ones, infrastructure improvisation, and setting up of labs and libraries.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

This is a 2015 initiative that targets ending the disparities of girls vis-à-vis boys at all educational levels and is aimed at imparting education to girls. Building a case for the education of girls and taking measures for their increasing enrollments and reducing drop-outs at all levels of education are the objectives.

Atal Innovation Mission

The AIM was established to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in schools and institutions of higher education. It provides the set-up of Atal Tinkering Labs in schools and support to students for generating innovative and technological solutions.

Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

Launched in 2018, the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan subsumes the existing schemes of SSA, RMSA, and Teacher Education. It aims at covering pre-school to class 12 with an integrated approach to education and focuses on improvement in quality of education, digital literacy, and vocational training.

Digital Initiatives in Education

Some of the digital initiatives in education include the following:

e-PATHSHALA

e-PATHSHALA is an initiative of the MHRD and NCERT to make digital textbooks and learning resources available online, thus increasing access to educational content.

DIKSHA: Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing

Launched in 2017, DIKSHA provides training content, lesson plans, and resources to teachers for improving classroom effectiveness. For students, it makes study material and training modules available in a variety of languages.

SWAYAM: Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds

SWAYAM is an online portal that gives courses from school to postgraduate levels. It encompasses MOOCs in many subjects and skill development areas; hence, it is sure to take education to a larger section of the population.

Pradhan Mantri Vidya Lakshmi Karyakram

This initiative brings in a single window for the student seeking information about educational loans and scholarships. It thus eases the access to financial resources to pursue higher education.

NEP 2020

NEP 2020 is a comprehensive framework that is aimed at restructuring education in India, with emphasis on early childhood education, a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach to education, the integration of technology, and a flexible curriculum that encourages critical thinking and creativity.

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)

KGBV, introduced in the year 2004, is designed to provide quality education for girls coming from marginalized communities from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other backward categories through residential school facilities.

Read the article on the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme TEQIP!

Conclusion

The latest ruling from the Bombay High Court has been a refreshing breath of hope for strong implementation of the RTE. If the intent of RTE were to effect change for millions, then state governments must equally match its vision and intent with their policy reforms. Karnataka, Punjab, and all other states must now set their course right and make sure their policies consequently support, instead of subverting, this all-important legislation.

Sheer dedication, strong implementation, and collective effort together with an unflinching commitment would be needed to translate the dream of RTE, at least in relation to equitable education opportunity. The realization of this vision, which must be converted to reality, is not a choice for the children of India but for a larger goal of their being brought up in a just and equitable society.

Testbook provides a set of comprehensive notes for different competitive exams. Testbook is always on the top of the list because of its best quality assured products like live tests, mocks, Content pages, GK and current affairs videos, and much more. You can check out our UPSC Online Coaching, and download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.

UPSC Previous Year Questions

Year

Question

2021

Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail.

UPSC Practice Questions

Q1. Discuss the historical evolution of the Right to Education (RTE) in India. Evaluate the significance of the various constitutional provisions and judicial mandates that have shaped this right. (250 words)

Q2. Critically analyze the salient features of the Right to Education (RTE) Act. How have these features aimed to address the disparities in the Indian education system? (250 words)

Q3. Despite significant achievements, the Right to Education (RTE) Act faces various limitations. Discuss these challenges and suggest potential solutions to enhance the effectiveness of the Act. (250 words)

Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice