Gurugram, May 2, 2026: The Haryana Education Department has issued a strict statewide directive to private unaided schools, instructing them to ensure timely and transparent admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 for children belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups. The order, issued in Gurugram on May 2, 2026, comes amid increasing complaints that several private schools are delaying admissions or creating procedural hurdles in implementing the mandatory 25% reservation quota for entry-level classes.
According to education officials, private schools are required to complete admissions for students selected through the 2026–27 RTE online lottery system within a fixed timeline set by the government. The department has clearly stated that schools cannot reject selected candidates without valid reasons defined under RTE rules. Any delay, denial, or arbitrary refusal will be treated as non-compliance, and institutions may face regulatory action.
The directive follows multiple complaints from districts including Gurugram, where parents alleged that certain private schools were slow in verifying documents, updating admission status on official portals, or confirming seats even after students had been allotted admission through the centralized lottery system. Officials said such delays weaken the implementation of a constitutional provision intended to ensure equal access to education for economically weaker families.
Under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, private unaided schools across India are legally required to reserve 25% of seats at the entry level for EWS and disadvantaged category students. In Haryana, admissions are carried out through a centralised online portal, where eligible applicants are selected through a transparent lottery process based on neighbourhood criteria and availability of seats.
For the current academic session, selected students must report to their allotted schools within a specified period for document verification and confirmation of admission. Schools are required to verify essential documents such as income certificates, residence proof, and identity records before finalising admission. Authorities have reiterated that rejection of applications is allowed only on limited grounds such as ineligibility or incomplete documentation, and every rejection must be properly recorded on the state education portal with justification.
To strengthen enforcement, the Haryana Education Department has enhanced its digital monitoring system, requiring all private schools to regularly update admission details on the state’s online portal. Schools must clearly indicate whether a student has been admitted or rejected, along with supporting reasons. District Education Officers have been assigned the responsibility of closely monitoring compliance and ensuring that schools follow the prescribed guidelines without deviation.
A formal grievance redressal mechanism has also been activated to assist parents facing difficulties during the admission process. Complaints can be escalated from local committees to district-level authorities, while unresolved cases will be reviewed by senior education officials. The system is designed to ensure accountability and prevent administrative delays.
Officials have warned that strict action will be taken against institutions found violating RTE norms. This may include penalties and other regulatory consequences under applicable education laws. The department has emphasised that compliance with the 25% EWS reservation rule is mandatory and cannot be treated as optional by private schools.
Despite repeated enforcement efforts in previous years, Haryana has continued to face challenges in fully implementing RTE admissions. Issues such as delayed seat confirmations, incomplete data uploads, and disputes over document verification have been reported, particularly in urban areas where demand for private schooling is high.
The latest directive reflects the state government’s renewed push to tighten oversight and ensure that eligible children are not denied admission due to procedural delays or institutional resistance. Officials said the admission cycle will remain under close supervision until all RTE seats are verified and filled in accordance with government rules.
