No Word Yet on TN RTE 2025-26 Admissions: Parents Seek Answers
TN Yet to Announce RTE 2025-26 Admission Remains Unclear: The notification for 25% admissions in private primary schools under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act has been delayed. With the Tamil Nadu government facing a financial crunch due to the central government withholding funds for the second consecutive year, parents have voiced concerns over the lack of clarity and delay in this year’s admission process.
The announcement for RTE admission is typically made in the last week of March or the first week of April, allowing parents to gather and upload the necessary documents-such as birth certificate, caste certificate, residence, and income proof-for online application. Last year, the announcement was made on April 1, with online admissions beginning on April 20. However, this year, even as May has begun, no announcement has been made. This delay has left parents confused and uncertain about the reason behind it.
TN RTE Admission 2025: What is the reason for the delay?
Each year, under the RTE Act, around 75000 students gain free education from LKG or Class 1 up to Class 8. The government reimburses the affiliated private schools for these students’ fees. More than 1.5 lakh applications are submitted annually for this scheme. However, for the academic years 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, the government has not yet released the reimbursement funds. As a result, the Tamil Nadu government still owes payment for two years, affecting over 4 lakh students enrolled under RTE in nearly 8,000 private schools from LKG to Class 8.
According to the government, the funds could not be disbursed to schools because the central government has not provided financial allocation for the RTE scheme for the past two years. Meanwhile, there is growing suspicion that the education department is also hesitating to proceed because this year’s RTE admission announcement has yet to be made. As a result, parents are left in confusion and uncertainty. Many believe the Tamil Nadu government should take urgent action—similar to how it stepped in to pay salaries under the Integrated Scholarship Scheme without waiting for central funding. People are now calling on the state to show the same commitment to the RTE admissions issue and release the long-awaited announcement.
TN RTE Admission 2025: Key Points to Know Before Apply!
According to Section 12 (1) (C) of the RTE Act 2009, a minimum of 25% of the available seats in unaided private schools in Tamil Nadu must be reserved for children from Disadvantaged Groups and the Economically Weaker Section. The allocation process is scheduled to commence on May 2nd and conclude by May 29th each year. Additionally, the distance from the child’s residence to the school must not exceed 1 kilometer in diameter. The Birth Certificate is a crucial document required for admission to Class 1 or LKG in any private school in Tamil Nadu for the academic year 2025-26. The age criteria and corresponding date of birth for admissions are as follows: For LKG: Children born between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022; For Class 1: Children born between August 1, 2019, and July 31, 2020.
Is there a plan to stop 25% RTE free admission in private schools…? – Dr. Ramadoss
Dr. Ramadoss has raised concerns regarding the potential cessation of the 25% free admission policy in private schools under the Right to Education Act. He criticized the delay in publishing the admission notification for these seats in Tamil Nadu, noting that it is unacceptable that applications have not yet been accepted despite the onset of May and the commencement of summer vacations.
According to the Right to Education Act of 2009, 25% of seats in private and central government schools are reserved for underprivileged children, allowing them to receive free education funded by the central and state governments. This initiative benefits approximately one lakh children annually. Typically, the admission notification is released in March, with applications collected in April, followed by scrutiny in May, ensuring that admissions are finalized before schools reopen in June.
However, with schools set to resume on June 2, the lack of progress in admissions under the Right to Education Act has led to growing speculation and concern. Furthermore, the annual delays in fee payments from the government to private schools for these students have become a common issue. The increasing rumors suggesting that the government may discontinue free education for the underprivileged under this act have heightened public anxiety, and it is imperative for the Tamil Nadu government to address these concerns, as stated by PMK founder Ramadoss.