Vidhi Codex

Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009

Education200939 sections7 chapters

This law guarantees free and compulsory elementary education to children in India aged six to fourteen years. It governs government, aided, and private schools, requiring private institutions to reserve one quarter of their class seats for disadvantaged and economically vulnerable groups. By regulating school infrastructure, teacher quality, and class sizes while banning physical abuse, exams, and admission screening, this act standardizes basic learning. It is vital because it turns education into a fundamental right for every child, striving to reduce social inequality, prohibit discriminatory barriers, and ensure that all young citizens can complete their primary schooling without any financial burden.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent, application and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II RIGHT TO FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION →

  1. 3Right of child to free and compulsory education.
  2. 4Special provisions for children not admitted to, or who have not completed, elementary education.
  3. 5Right of transfer to other school.

Chapter III DUTIES OF APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT, LOCAL AUTHORITY AND PARENTS →

  1. 6Duty of appropriate Government and local authority to establish school.
  2. 7Sharing of financial and other responsibilities.
  3. 8Duties of appropriate Government.
  4. 9Duties of local authority.
  5. 10Duty of parents and guardian.
  6. 11Appropriate Government to provide for pre-school education.

Chapter IV RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS →

  1. 12Extent of school’s responsibility for free and compulsory education.
  2. 13No capitation fee and screening procedure for admission.
  3. 14Proof of age for admission.
  4. 15No denial of admission.
  5. 16Examination and holding back in certain cases.
  6. 17Prohibition of physical punishment and mental harassment to child.
  7. 18No school to be established without obtaining certificate of recognition.
  8. 19Norms and standards for school.
  9. 20Power to amend Schedule.
  10. 21School Management Committee.
  11. 22School Development Plan.
  12. 23Qualifications for appointment and terms and conditions of service of teachers.
  13. 24Duties of teachers and redressal of grievances.
  14. 25Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
  15. 26Filling up vacancies of teachers.
  16. 27Prohibition of deployment of teachers for non-educational purposes.
  17. 28Prohibition of private tuition by teacher.

Chapter V CURRICULUM AND COMPLETION OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION →

  1. 29Curriculum and evaluation procedure.
  2. 30Examination and completion certificate.

Chapter VI PROTECTION OF RIGHT OF CHILDREN →

  1. 31Monitoring of child’s right to education.
  2. 32Redressal of grievances.
  3. 33Constitution of National Advisory Council.
  4. 34Constitution of State Advisory Council.

Chapter VII MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 35Power to issue directions.
  2. 36Previous sanction for prosecution.
  3. 37Protection of action taken in good faith.
  4. 38Power of appropriate Government to make rules.
  5. 39Power of Central Government to remove difficulties.

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