Haryana's CHEERAG Scheme admission process for the 2026-27 academic session has started, and eligible students from government schools can now apply for free admission in recognized private schools from Class 6 to Class 12. CHEERAG stands for Chief Minister Haryana Equal Education Relief, Assistance and Grant Scheme, and it was launched to make sure that money problems do not stop a child in a government school from getting quality education in a private school. The Directorate of Elementary Education, Haryana released the official notification in March 2026, and applications were accepted from March 13 to March 30, 2026.
Under this scheme, the entire tuition fee of selected students in private schools is paid by the Haryana government directly to the school. Students pay nothing out of pocket. Admission is given through a lucky draw lottery system in cases where the number of applications is more than the available seats. The lottery was held between April 1 and April 5, 2026, and school admissions under the scheme are being done till April 15, 2026. If your child's name was selected in the lottery, make sure to complete admission formalities on time to avoid losing the seat.
Haryana Government has also extended the last date of form IV submission for the 2026-27 session.
What is Haryana CHEERAG Scheme?
CHEERAG is a Haryana government education scheme that gives EWS (Economically Weaker Section) students studying in government schools a chance to move to recognized private schools, with all fees paid by the state. The idea is simple: a child from a poor family should not be stuck in a poorly-resourced school just because their parents cannot afford private school fees. The scheme was first launched in 2022 and has been running every year since. In earlier years, it was based on Section 134A of the Haryana School Education Act. The scheme now covers admissions from Class 5 to Class 12, though recent updates specifically focus on Class 6 to Class 12 for the 2026-27 session.
The school allotted to a student under CHEERAG Scheme is in the same block where the student is currently studying. This means students get a school nearby and do not have to travel far. Schools participating in the scheme must be recognized private schools listed under the CHEERAG guidelines by the Haryana School Education Department.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | CHEERAG Scheme (Chief Minister Haryana Equal Education Relief, Assistance and Grant) |
| Launched By | Directorate of Elementary Education, Haryana Government |
| Beneficiaries | EWS students currently in government schools applying for Class 6 to 12 |
| Benefit | Free education in recognized private schools (all fees paid by government) |
| Application Period (2026-27) | March 13 to March 30, 2026 |
| Lottery Draw | April 1 to April 5, 2026 |
| Admission Period | April 1 to April 15, 2026 |
| Application Fee | None - completely free to apply |
| Official Website | harprathmik.gov.in / schooleducationharyana.gov.in |
Eligibility for Haryana CHEERAG Scheme 2026-27
The eligibility criteria are clearly defined in the official notification. A student must meet all of the following conditions to be considered for admission under the scheme:
- Government school student: The child must be currently studying in a recognized government school in Haryana during the 2025-26 academic session. Students from private schools are not eligible.
- Class range: The student must be applying for admission in Class 6 to Class 12. Admission is given only for the next class above the one currently being studied in a government school.
- Family income: The combined annual income of both parents must be ₹8 lakh or less, as verified through the Family ID (PPP) records. Income verification is done automatically through the Parivar Pehchan Patra database.
- EWS certificate: A valid EWS (Economically Weaker Section) certificate is required. The certificate must not be older than 6 months as on April 1 of the admission year. Make sure to get a fresh EWS certificate if your old one has expired.
- SRN number: The student must have a valid SRN (Student Registration Number) linked to the Haryana government school where they are currently enrolled.
- Same block only: The private school selected must be in the same block where the student is currently studying. Cross-block applications are not accepted.
How to Apply for CHEERAG Scheme Admission 2026-27
The application process for CHEERAG Scheme 2026-27 is offline. There is no online application form for this scheme. Students must obtain the physical admission form from the private school they want to apply to, fill it correctly, attach the required documents, and submit it to the school before the deadline.
STEP 1 - Visit the recognized private school in your block that is listed under the CHEERAG Scheme 2026-27. You can find the list of participating schools on the official portal at harprathmik.gov.in under the "Seat Declaration under CHEERAG Scheme (2026-27)" section.
STEP 2 - Ask for the CHEERAG Scheme Admission Form at the school front desk. The form is free of cost. Do not pay anyone money to get the form. The school must give you a receipt after you submit your filled form.
STEP 3 - Fill in the form carefully with the student's details, Family ID number, SRN number, and other required information. Attach self-attested copies of all required documents along with the form.
STEP 4 - Submit the completed form along with documents to the school before the deadline. Keep a copy of the filled form for your records. The school must issue a receipt confirming form submission.
STEP 5 - If the number of applicants is more than available seats at a school, a lucky draw lottery is conducted by the school in the presence of parents and a government nominee (District Elementary Education Officer's representative). The lottery results were announced between April 1 and April 5, 2026.
STEP 6 - Students selected in the lottery must complete their admission at the private school between April 1 and April 15, 2026. If selected students do not take admission within this window, their seat will be offered to the next child on the waiting list.
Documents Required for CHEERAG Scheme Application
Collect all these documents before visiting the school to submit your application. All copies should be self-attested by the parent or guardian:
- Aadhaar card of the child - for identity verification
- Parivar Pehchan Patra (Family ID / PPP) - for income verification (must show income ₹8 lakh or less)
- EWS certificate - valid and not older than 6 months as of April 1, 2026; issued by the competent authority
- Birth certificate of the child - for age verification
- School Leaving Certificate (SLC) - from the current government school where the child is studying
- Parent's Aadhaar card or Voter ID - for parent identity verification
- Passport size photograph of the child - attach to the application form
What Happens After Admission Under CHEERAG Scheme
Once a student is admitted to a private school under the CHEERAG Scheme, the government reimburses the school fees directly to the school on behalf of the student. The student does not pay anything. The student continues their education in the private school as any other student would, and the government keeps paying the fee as long as the student remains enrolled and eligible under the scheme. If any information in the application is found to be incorrect later, the admission will be cancelled.
FAQ's
Can a student apply to more than one school under CHEERAG Scheme?
Yes, a student can submit application forms to more than one participating school in their block. This increases the chances of being selected in the lottery at at least one school.
Is there any application fee for CHEERAG Scheme?
No, there is absolutely no application fee. The form is free, and if anyone asks you to pay money for the CHEERAG form or admission process, that is fraud. Report such cases to the Directorate of Elementary Education.
What if a student is selected in the lottery but fails to take admission?
If a selected student does not take admission before April 15, 2026, their seat will be given to the next student on the waiting list. Seats are not held beyond the admission window.
Is the income limit ₹1.80 lakh or ₹8 lakh for CHEERAG Scheme?
For the 2026-27 session, the income limit is ₹8 lakh per year (combined income of both parents), as verified through the Family ID / PPP. Some older articles mention ₹1.80 lakh, which was the earlier limit. Always check the latest official notification for the current income criteria.
Who can I contact if there is a problem with my application?
For queries related to elementary classes (Pre-Primary to Class 8), contact the Directorate of Elementary Education at eduprimaryhry@gmail.com or call 0172-2560453. For secondary classes (Class 9 to 12), contact edusecondaryhry@gmail.com or call 0172-2560269.