https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

SC Orders Free Private School Education for Orphans Nationwide Under RTE Act, Gives States 4 Weeks to Comply

The Supreme Court has directed all states to provide free private school education to orphans under the 25% RTE quota within four weeks.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: In a landmark step towards securing the future of orphaned children in India, the Supreme Court on August 6 directed all State governments to ensure that orphans receive free private school education under the 25% quota provision of the Right to Education (RTE) Act.

A bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice K.V. Viswanathan issued a four-week deadline for states to issue formal notifications that classify orphaned children as eligible under Section 12(1)(c) of the Act, which mandates free education in private unaided schools for children from disadvantaged groups.

Some States Already in Compliance

The court took note that several states and union territories specifically Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Gujarat have already issued the required notifications. It directed the rest of the states and UTs to follow suit promptly.

“The exercise shall be completed within four weeks,” the bench stated. It further instructed authorities to ensure that the inclusion of orphan children under the RTE quota is backed by official policy, removing any scope for ambiguity in implementation.

Court Orders State-Wide Surveys on Orphan Admissions

In addition to mandating notifications, the apex court asked all states to conduct thorough surveys identifying orphaned children who have been granted or denied admission in private schools under the 25% RTE quota. States have also been instructed to provide reasons for any denial of admission.

The bench emphasized urgency: “While this survey is done, simultaneous efforts should be made so that such (orphan) children are admitted to schools.”

Also Read: Supreme Court Pulls Up ED, Grants Bail to Former IAS Anil Tuteja in Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam

PIL Seeks Uniform National Education Policy for Orphans

These directives came during the hearing of a petition filed by Advocate Poulomi Pavini Shukla. The petition called for a nationwide policy to ensure educational access and reservation for orphans, as well as the creation of an official database on orphaned children.

Advocate Shukla pointed out that India lacks any official data on orphans, forcing reliance on reports from NGOs and international agencies like UNICEF. According to UNICEF estimates, there are nearly 2.96 crore (29.6 million) orphaned children in India. This lack of formal recognition, she argued, has left this vulnerable group excluded from most welfare schemes and education initiatives.

Apex Court Flags Urgency, Accountability

The Supreme Court observed that the systemic neglect of orphans is a matter of grave concern. It noted that failure to provide such children equal access to education contradicts the spirit of Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14.

With this ruling, the Court has not only acknowledged the legal vacuum but has moved to decisively close it. The bench reiterated that the rights of orphan children must not remain theoretical and demanded verifiable action from all State authorities.

The matter will now be monitored for compliance and further hearings are expected to ensure full implementation.

Also Read: Supreme Court Strikes Down Exemptions in Environment Ministry Notification, Upholds Mandatory Public Hearings for Big Projects


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
DFCCIL
DFCCIL Inaugurates New Registered Office at World Trade Centre, Delhi on Auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi
PFC MoU Ministry of Power
Strategic Partnership: PFC Signs MoU with Ministry of Power for FY 2025-26 to Drive Energy Transition and Green Financing
UP Police
Another Major Reshuffle in UP Police: Yogi Government Transfers 4 Senior IPS Officers, Akash Kulhari Made IG Jhansi Range
NABARD FIBAC_2025
NABARD Chairman Shaji K. V. Leads Rural Transformation with Digital and Climate Blueprint at FIBAC 2025- Know More
Kerala High Court
Judge Udayakumar Suspended by Kerala High Court After Litigant Alleges Sexually Coloured Remarks
mahipal-yadav IPS
Who Was Kerala ADGP Mahipal Yadav, Who Passed Away on the Day of His Retirement Ceremony?
406951-supreme-court-of-india-sc
Collegium Split Surfaces: Centre Moves Ahead with Justice Pancholi’s Appointment Despite Nagarathna Opposition
supreme-court-4
Supreme Court Rebukes Allahabad HC Over 43 Bail Adjournments, Emphasises Urgency in Liberty Cases
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
DFCCIL
DFCCIL Inaugurates New Registered Office at World Trade Centre, Delhi on Auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi
PFC MoU Ministry of Power
Strategic Partnership: PFC Signs MoU with Ministry of Power for FY 2025-26 to Drive Energy Transition and Green Financing
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT