Nursery Admissions in Delhi NCR 2025-26

Form Dates | Admission Criteria | Results | Fee Details | List of All Schools

Delhi school admissions: Is govt guilty of violating RTE Act ? FirstPost

Delhi school admissions: Is govt guilty of violating RTE Act?

In its sternest warning yet the Delhi High Court has indicated that it will not hesitate to suspend the ongoing admissions process in private schools – a system formally endorsed by the Centre and the Delhi government – if it is found to be in violation the Right to Education Act (RTE Act).

An admission process based on a ‘point-system’ that gives preference to categories such as alumni (where the applicant’s parents have studied in the school), sibling (where the applicant has a sibling in the same school) has been challenged in the Delhi High Court as being a blatant violation of the RTE Act.

“The RTE Act (Section 13) not only prohibits but also makes punishable the adoption of a screening procedure. The Act is very clear that schools cannot discriminate between two children on any grounds. Only a draw of lots can be the criteria along with neighbourhood – which is at the heart of Act, for admission” says Ashok Agarwal, High Court advocate representing NGO Social Jurist that has filed the PIL.

Will the high court strike down the admission process? Reuters

Ironically, in formulating a point-system that has been widely criticized by parents as being discriminatory private unaided schools were merely following guidelines issued by the government.

The Delhi government’s notification issued on 15 December, 2010, quoting the Human Resource Development’s Ministry’s guidelines giving unaided schools the freedom to come up with their own criteria for admissions, states, “Schools are free to identify any category based on policy/principles that are fair, just and reasonable within the ambit of the RTE Act.”

Interpreting the central government’s guidelines, the Delhi government goes on to add that, “Keeping in view the unique background, ethos and objectives of the schools in Delhi….the categorisation of the applicants should be on the basis of a criteria, developed in terms of the objectives of the school and can include sibling, transfer case, single parent and alumni.” (Read notification here)

Reacting to the two notifications, the Delhi High Court came down heavily on the Centre and the Delhi government on Wednesday, warning them against diluting the RTE Act.

“You (HRD ministry and Delhi government) cannot the dilute the provision of the RTE Act. By allowing them (schools) to formulate their own admission criteria, you are giving preference to one child over another, which is against the Act,” the High Court said.

On what the implications would be, should the High Court quash the government notifications, Agarwal said: “It will apply to all private unaided and non-minority schools across the county. We have challenged the central government notification.”

For one, quashing of the notifications will imply that the ongoing admission process in Delhi, which began on January 1, will stand cancelled. A probability the High Court hinted on, on Wednesday.

4 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Papia Mandal on January 28, 2013 at 8:52am

High court should take the decission applicable to all schools...including those schools that have almost completed their admission process.

Like DPS Dwarka, in which among the 117 shortlisted candiated 116 belongs to alumni or sibling category...

We won't mind even if we have to start the process again... starting from filling up form again...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by pradeep sharma on January 28, 2013 at 10:15am

The mursery admission is not fair at all. a lot of politices is going on. there is no rules and guidelines being followed by most of the school. the neighbourhood criteira is also not followed.My ward is not being selected in neighbourhood school and calls are recieved from far away schools. its reaally difficult for the parents to take decision. We NEED TO UNITE AND GET OUT OF IT.

There are interactions in some schools asking 40,000 cash without receipt for some canditates and for some nothing is asked and conveyed that the list will be out on 15th feb.

For asking money also there is the criteria ????Dont know what is it going .

Getting admissions in Engineering / MEdical is easier and fair as compared to these nursery schools .

IS THIS OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM ??????

HOW WILL THE COUNTRY BECOME DEVELOPED UNDER SUCH SCENARIO.

SCHOOLS ARE READY TO GIVE ADMISSION WITHOUT MONEY ON A CALL FROM MP/MLA or political leaders .

IS THIS THEY WANT???

INDIAN GOVT. SHOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER VERY SERIOUSLY.

THE SIBLINGS and ALUMINI GOT FILLED IN THE LIST OF DPS DWARKA WHICH is MOST SOUGHT SCHOOL IN DWARKA AREA in WEST DELHI.

IF SOME PARENTS HAVE STUDIED IN GOVT. SCHOOl and have made themselves capable to educate their ward to the best schools, but THEY CAN NOT?

IS this the JUSTICE??

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rashi Singh on January 28, 2013 at 11:53am

Whatever the guidelines...How can a mother sent 2 children to 2 different schools, each day in the morning and collect them in afternoon? Cope up with two sets of teachers, different vacation schedules, Parent teacher meeting in two different schools, attend functions in two different schools.... All parents should think wisely on the sibling points atleast !! Remaining points like transfer, alumni, first child, girl can be done away with...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 200h8gyjls1f5 on January 28, 2013 at 1:03pm

The session will start in April only and moreover there is no space technology involved as such. So any change can be and should be implemented from this year itself.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Sakshi (Moderator) on January 28, 2013 at 12:26pm

I CONCUR ON SIBLING ISSUE .MR Vohra will Put This point on IBN 7 at 4-5 pm today

HIGH COURT HEARING ON PIL WILL START AT 4PM NOW INSTEAD OF 2PM

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by 200h8gyjls1f5 on January 28, 2013 at 12:58pm

A quashing of notification is welcome as the criteria made by schools are highly discriminatory as well discretionary. Sample this- points for Class-I in Govt. or PSUs or Banks/Engineer/Doctor/ CA/Charitable Work/Community Service etc. Further, points for Regional or Linguistic Minority. Now, how on this earth is one supposed to get such "Minority Certificates' , even National Commission for Minorities is at loss to explain (as I experienced on its helpline). Thus, schools are at full freedom to admit or reject at their own sweet will. A draw of lots will at least ensure every child a fair chance.