Right to Education Act 2009

Right to Education Act 2009 provides free education, textbooks, uniforms and PM Poshan Yojana benefits to children up to Class 8 in private schools across Uttarakhand. Under Section 12(1)(c) of the Act, private schools must reserve 25% of their entry-level seats for children from weaker and disadvantaged sections, and the admission process for the 2026-27 academic year is being carried out online through the official portal rteonline.uk.gov.in.

Right to Education Act 2009 - Introduction

Right to Education Act 2009 is implemented under the Samagra Shiksha Programme by the School Education Department of the government of Uttarakhand. The scheme supports children from weaker and disadvantaged sections by providing them with free education, textbooks, uniforms and supplementary nutrition through the PM Poshan Yojana. It opens doors for children in both rural and urban areas to receive education in private schools up to Class 8.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the state has moved the entire admission process online. Parents register their child on the official portal, submit documents at the Block Education Officer (BEO) office, and seats are finalised through an online lottery. The application window for 2026-27 opened on 24 March 2026 and the last date was extended from 02 April 2026 to 06 April 2026 so that more children could apply.

Key Information

Benefits

Under this scheme, children from weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds receive various forms of educational support up to Class 8 in private schools. Key benefits include:

1. Free Education: Quality schooling at no cost in private schools.

2. Educational Supplies: Free distribution of textbooks and uniforms.

3. Nutritional Support: Access to healthy meals under the PM Poshan Yojana.

4. Reserved Seats: Private schools must reserve 25% of their total seats in entry-level classes specifically for eligible children under Section 12(1)(c) of the Act.

Eligibility

To qualify for this scheme, a child must belong to one of the following categories, with specific income and status criteria applied:

• Weaker Sections: Families with an annual income of ₹55,000 or less, or those holding a valid BPL card.
• Disadvantaged Classes: Students from SC, ST or non-creamy layer OBC backgrounds with a family annual income up to ₹4.5 lakh.
• Special Circumstances: Children who are orphans, have physical disabilities, live with HIV/AIDS, or have parents living with HIV/AIDS.
• Additional Criteria: Children of parents with disabilities or leprosy (family income under ₹4.5 lakh), or children dependent on a divorced or widowed mother (family income under ₹80,000).

The age of the child also matters for admission. As per the government notification dated 13 June 2025, a child must have completed 6 years of age on or before 01 July 2026 to be eligible for Class 1. For Balvatika-I the minimum age is 3 years, Balvatika-II is 4 years and Balvatika-III is 5 years.

Application Process

The online application process for the 2026-27 academic year begins in March. Follow these steps to secure a seat:

STEP 1 - Visit the official website at rteonline.uk.gov.in and open the student registration section.

STEP 2 - Fill in the registration form with the correct details of the child and the family, including the address so that the portal shows the schools available in the ward.

STEP 3 - After submitting the form, a registration number is sent to the mobile number given in the application. Check all details and click on the Save and Next button, then Submit to finalise the online application.

STEP 4 - Take a printout of the application and submit it with self-attested copies of the required documents at the office of the local Block Education Officer (BEO) before the deadline.

STEP 5 - The BEO office verifies the application and confirms eligibility. Only children with verified documents are included in the lottery.

STEP 6 - When the number of applicants is more than the reserved seats, the government conducts an online lottery for seat allocation. Selected students then complete admission in the allotted private school.

For the 2026-27 session, the online application window was open from 24 March to 02 April 2026 and was later extended to 06 April 2026. Document submission at the BEO office was extended to 07 April 2026, verification continued up to 13 April 2026, and the lottery was held on 17 April 2026 with results published on 18 April 2026. Selected students completed admission between 18 April and 30 April 2026.

Documents

When you apply, make sure you have the following documents ready:

• Passport-size photograph of the child
• Birth certificate of the child
• Aadhaar card of the child and parents or guardians
• Caste certificate
• Permanent residence certificate
• BPL certificate or family income certificate
• Disability or medical certificates (if applicable)
• Relevant legal proof for widows, divorcees or orphan applicants

References

Official RTE Admission Portal Uttarakhand

FAQ's

What benefits are provided through this scheme?

Eligible children receive free education, textbooks, uniforms and nutritional support through the PM Poshan Yojana up to Class 8 in private schools.

Up to which class is free education provided?

The scheme covers educational costs up to Class 8 in private schools.

When can I apply for this scheme?

For the 2026-27 session, the online application window was open from 24 March 2026 and the last date was extended to 06 April 2026.

How should I apply?

You can apply online through the official portal rteonline.uk.gov.in by filling in your details and selecting the nearest school in your ward.

What is the next step after submitting the online form?

You should print your application and submit it with your documents to the office of the Block Education Officer (BEO).

Who verifies my documents?

A specialised committee at the development block level verifies all submitted documentation.

What happens if there are more applicants than seats?

The state government conducts an online lottery to select candidates when demand exceeds available seats.