UP RTE School Admission 2026: Aadhaar card is no longer mandatory for admissions under RTE; UP government makes the decision..

UP RTE School Admission 2026: The Uttar Pradesh government has taken a major and important decision to simplify the school admission process under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Now, Aadhaar cards for children and their parents will no longer be mandatory for admission to private unaided schools under the RTE quota. This move aims to provide relief to poor, underprivileged, and vulnerable families and to connect more children to mainstream education.

According to senior officials of the Education Department, many eligible children were deprived of admission due to Aadhaar-related documentation complexities. The new system is in line with the original spirit of the RTE Act, making it easier for genuine beneficiaries to gain school admission.

Relaxation in Documentation Requirements
Under the revised rules, the requirement of Aadhaar cards for both the child and both parents for applying under the RTE quota has been removed. However, the government has clarified that Aadhaar will still be required for financial assistance and reimbursement. The amount given to private schools under RTE will only be transferred to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. For this, Aadhaar details of at least one parent will be necessary.

Admission Capacity and Age Criteria

The government has also clarified that under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, private schools will reserve a maximum of 25 percent of the total seats in their entry-level class. Annual admission targets will also be set for each district for better management.

Clear guidelines have also been issued regarding the age limit. Children aged 3 to 4 years will be eligible for nursery, 4 to 5 years for LKG, and 6 to 7 years for Class 1. This will ensure a uniform system across all private schools.

Admission Process
Document verification will be done at the Block Education Officer (BEO) and Basic Education Officer (BSA) levels. School allocation will then be done through an online lottery system in two phases. The final selection list will be approved by the District Magistrate, ensuring transparency and fairness in the process. The education department believes that these reforms will increase the number of parents applying under the RTE quota. By removing unnecessary obstacles, the government aims to provide more children with the opportunity to receive quality education.

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