The document outlines the evolution of the right to education in India, culminating in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act of 2009, which ensures free education for children aged 6 to 14 and seeks to include marginalized communities. It discusses the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to restructure education, enhance technology use, and promote holistic learning while addressing systemic challenges in implementation. Various initiatives, such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Digital India, have been launched to improve access and quality of education, but significant obstacles remain, particularly for disadvantaged groups.

1. Right to Education
The Constitutional Amendment of 2002 that included the Article 21A in the Indian constitution
making Edu- cation a fundamental Right. A rough draft of the bill was composed in year 2005.
The Right of Children Free and Compulsory Education Act was pro- posed on 4th August, 2009.
It came into effect on 1st April, 2010, except in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
On 7 May 2014, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Right to Education Act is not applicable
to Minority institutions.
Main Provisions
● It lays emphasis on the development of both scholastic and coscholastic areas.
● It is obligatory for the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary
education, up to Class 8th, to each and every child in India in a neighbourhood school
within 1 km.
● RTE Act lays down norms and standards relating to relating to PupilTeacher Ratios
(number of children per teacher), classrooms, separate toilets for girls and boys, drinking
water facility, number of school-working days, working hours of teachers, etc. Each and
every elementary school (Primary School + Middle School) in India has to comply with
these minimum standards set by the RTE Act.
● RTE Act mandates that an out of school child is admitted to an age appropriate class and
provided with special training to enable the child to come up to age appropriate learning
level.
● RTE Act prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment; discrimination based
on gender, caste, class and religion; screening procedures for admission of children;
capitation fee; private tuition by teachers and running of schools without recognition.
● RTE Act provides for development of curriculum, which would ensure the all-round
development of every child by building child's knowledge, human potential and talent.
● The Act has mandated the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) method to
ensure grade ap- propriate learning outcomes.
● RTE Act is justiciable and is backed by a Grievance Redressal (GR) mechanism that gives
opportunity to people to take action against non-compliance of various provisions of the
Act.
● RTE Act mandates all the private schools to reserve 25 per cent of the seats for children
belonging to socially disadvantaged and economically weaker sections. This provision of
the Act is aimed.at furthering social inclusion for a better India.

2. in 2009, which guarantees free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6
and 14 years. The RTE Act also specifies that children from disadvantaged and marginalized
communities must be given special care and attention to ensure that they are not left behind.
The implementation of the RTE Act has faced several challenges, particularly in terms of
ensuring access to education for all children, particularly those from marginalized and
disadvantaged communities. Despite efforts to improve access to education, many children in
India are still out of school, particularly in rural areas and among lower-caste and tribal
communities.
The quality of education in India is also a concern, with many schools lacking basic
infrastructure and qualified teachers. Dropout rates are high, particularly among girls, and there
are significant gender gaps in education, particularly in some states.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the digital divide and the challenges of providing
online education to all students. Many students in rural areas and from disadvantaged
communities have been unable to access online education due to the lack of infrastructure and
connectivity.
To address these challenges, the Indian government has launched several initiatives, including
the Digital India program, which aims to provide digital infrastructure and connectivity to all parts
of the country. The government has also launched programs to improve the quality of education,
including teacher training and curriculum reforms.
Overall, while progress has been made in improving access to education in India, there is still a
long way to go to ensure that every child has access to quality education. It is essential that the
government continues to invest in education and takes steps to address the challenges facing
the education system, particularly for marginalized and disadvantaged communities.
Indian education policy
The Indian education policy has evolved over time, with several key reforms and initiatives
launched to improve access to education and the quality of education provided. The latest
National Education Policy (NEP) was launched in 2020 and is aimed at transforming the
education system in India.
The NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of early childhood education and provides for the
integration of vocational education from class 6 onwards. The policy also emphasizes the use of
technology in education, with a focus on online learning and digital infrastructure. The policy
aims to make education more inclusive and equitable, with a focus on reducing disparities in
access to education between different regions and communities.
One of the key reforms proposed in the NEP 2020 is the restructuring of the education system
into a 5+3+3+4 structure, with the first five years of schooling devoted to foundational education,
the next three years to preparatory education, the following three years to middle school

3. education, and the final four years to secondary education. This restructuring is aimed at
ensuring a more holistic and flexible approach to education, with a focus on experiential learning
and skill development.
The NEP 2020 also emphasizes the importance of teacher training and professional
development, with a focus on continuous learning and the use of technology in teaching. The
policy also proposes reforms to the higher education system, with a focus on multidisciplinary
education and the promotion of research and innovation.
Overall, the NEP 2020 is a comprehensive policy aimed at transforming the education system in
India. While the implementation of the policy will face several challenges, including resource
constraints and the need for systemic changes, the policy has the potential to significantly
improve access to education and the quality of education provided in India.
In addition to the reforms proposed in the NEP 2020, several other initiatives have been
launched in recent years to improve the Indian education system. These initiatives include:
1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Launched in 2001, SSA is a flagship program aimed at
providing universal access to elementary education in India. The program provides for
the construction of schools, the provision of free textbooks, the training of teachers, and
the development of curriculum and assessment frameworks.
2. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Launched in 2009, RMSA is aimed at
improving access to secondary education in India. The program provides for the
construction of schools, the provision of free textbooks, the training of teachers, and the
development of curriculum and assessment frameworks.
3. Digital India: Launched in 2015, Digital India is a program aimed at transforming India
into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The program includes
initiatives aimed at providing digital infrastructure and connectivity to all parts of the
country, including rural areas.
4. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Launched in 2016, AIM is aimed at promoting innovation
and entrepreneurship among students in India. The program includes initiatives aimed at
promoting a culture of innovation in schools and colleges, and providing funding and
support to students and startups.
5. National Skill Development Mission (NSDM): Launched in 2015, NSDM is aimed at
promoting skill development and vocational education in India. The program includes
initiatives aimed at providing training and certification to individuals in a range of skills
and trades, and promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment.
Overall, these initiatives, along with the proposed reforms in the NEP 2020, represent a
significant effort to transform the Indian education system and improve access to education and
the quality of education provided. However, the implementation of these initiatives will require
sustained commitment and investment from the government, as well as the involvement of all
stakeholders in the education sector.