Schedule I

[See section 2 (w) and section 46] CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS For the purposes of this Act, Government schools shall be classified as follows:- 1.Hard Area : Schools located in areas which- (a) require foot march of not less than one day or one stage to reach; or (b) are situated in remote, border, hilly or interior regions with severe geographical constraints; or (c) lack regular motorable road connectivity for a substantial part of the year; or (d) are notified as Hard Areas by the Government in public interest. 2.Middle Area : Schools located in areas which- (a) have limited or minimum motorable road connectivity; or (b) are accessible only seasonally or with significant difficulty; or (c) have partial availability of basic civic amenities; or (d) are notified as Middle Areas by the Government. 3.Soft Area : Schools located in areas which- (a) have all-weather motorable road connectivity; and (b) have reasonable availability of basic amenities including education, health and communication; or (c) are notified as Soft Areas by the Government. 4. Authority and Review : The categorisation of schools under this Schedule shall be made and periodically reviewed by the Government or such authority as may be prescribed and shall be binding for all purposes under this Act.