Raipur: In a significant push toward inclusive and equitable education, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that 14,403 children have been selected for admission to private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act through a transparent online lottery system.
The process was launched virtually from Mahanadi Bhavan and reflects the state government’s commitment to digital governance, transparency, and equal access to quality education.
Transparent Selection Process with Thousands of Applicants
The state received a total of 38,439 applications, out of which 27,203 were found eligible based on prescribed criteria. From these, 14,403 students were selected through the computerized lottery system.
The selection process was conducted smoothly across the state as per the pre-defined schedule, in the presence of Education Minister Gajendra Yadav and senior officials.
Education a Fundamental Right: CM Sai
Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasized that education is the fundamental right of every child and assured that the government is committed to ensuring that no child’s future is affected due to financial limitations.
“Our priority is to ensure that every child gets equal opportunity to access quality education,” he stated.
25% Reservation in Private Schools Under RTE
Under the provisions of the Right to Education Act, 25% seats in private schools are reserved for children belonging to economically weaker and disadvantaged sections. This policy aims to bridge educational inequality and extend the benefits of quality private education to underprivileged families.
Over 3.63 Lakh Students Benefiting from Scheme
Officials highlighted that over 3.63 lakh students in Chhattisgarh are currently benefiting from the RTE scheme, demonstrating the program’s extensive reach and positive impact.
₹300 Crore Allocation to Strengthen Scheme
To expand the scheme further, the state government has increased the fee reimbursement budget to ₹300 crore for the academic year 2026–27. This move is expected to enable more students to secure admissions in private institutions.
Fully Digital, Parent-Friendly Admission System
The RTE admission process has been made fully digital and user-friendly, ensuring transparency at every step:
- Online application and document verification
- Real-time display of nearby private schools within a 1.5 km radius
- Information on available seats during application
- Easy access via personal login or Choice Centers
This system helps parents make informed decisions and simplifies the admission process.
Priority for Marginalized Sections
Admissions are being granted to children aged 5.5 to 6.5 years for entry into Class 1. Preference is given to:
- Scheduled Castes (SC)
- Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- Children with disabilities
- Other economically weaker sections
In cases where seats remain vacant, offline lottery processes at the district level will be conducted, with updates available on the official RTE portal.
A Step Toward Inclusive and Quality Education
This initiative not only fulfills the educational aspirations of thousands of children but also strengthens the foundation of a fair, transparent, and inclusive education system in Chhattisgarh.
Read also: Sukma Development Boost: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Launches ₹308 Crore Projects to Transform Bastar Region
