AP RTE revised guidelines
Amaravati, September 3, 2026: The Andhra Pradesh government has constituted a State Level Committee to review the existing system for implementing the 25% reservation for eligible children in private unaided schools under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The decision was issued through G.O.Rt.No.141 dated September 3, 2026, by the School Education (Prog.II) Department. The committee has been asked to examine the existing guidelines and recommend necessary changes to make the RTE admission process more transparent and effective.
Committee to Review AP RTE 25% Free Seat System
Under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, private unaided schools are required to provide at least 25% of entry-level seats for children belonging to disadvantaged groups and weaker sections.
Andhra Pradesh has been implementing this provision through an online admission process. For the 2026-27 academic year, the state notified admissions for Class 1 seats in private unaided schools following the State, CBSE, ICSE and IB syllabi.
The newly constituted committee will now examine how the existing system is functioning and suggest revisions wherever necessary.
What Will the New AP RTE Committee Examine?
According to the order, the committee will examine several important aspects of the RTE admission process, including:
- Existing RTE guidelines and Andhra Pradesh RTE Rules
- Practical and legal problems faced during implementation
- Publication of the school-wise seat matrix
- Centralised online admission procedures
- Transparency in the admission process
- Grievance redressal mechanisms
- Monitoring of RTE admissions
- Reimbursement to private schools
- Inclusion and non-discrimination of students
- Possible amendments to the Andhra Pradesh RTE Rules
The committee has also been asked to examine the relevant Supreme Court judgment dated January 13, 2026, as well as the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
Who Is Heading the Committee?
Thameem Ansariya A, Director of School Education, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the State Level Committee.
B. Srinivasa Rao, State Project Director, Samagra Shiksha, will serve as the Member/Convener.
The committee also includes senior School Education Department officials, representatives connected with private schools, a legal consultant, an NGO representative and parents of students studying in unaided private schools under the RTE provision.
25% RTE Quota: What Does It Mean for Students?
The RTE Act provides for reservation of at least 25% of entry-level seats in private unaided schools for children from disadvantaged groups and weaker sections.
In Andhra Pradesh, the admission process has been conducted online, with eligible children considered for Class 1 admissions. The state’s 2026-27 notification covered private unaided schools following State, CBSE, ICSE and IB syllabi.
The government has previously issued detailed guidelines covering the admission process, eligibility, seat allocation and reimbursement under the RTE provision.
Will the RTE Rules Change Immediately?
Not yet.
The latest government order only establishes the committee and assigns it the task of reviewing the existing framework. The committee is expected to submit its report along with draft revised guidelines for consideration by the government.
Therefore, parents and schools should not assume that the eligibility criteria, admission schedule or existing procedures have already changed. Any final changes will depend on subsequent government orders or revised guidelines.
Why Is This Review Important?
The 25% RTE quota has been an important mechanism for improving access to private-school education for children from economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds.
However, implementation can involve issues relating to seat availability, school registration, student eligibility, lottery/allotment, reimbursement, grievance handling and monitoring. The new committee’s mandate specifically includes these areas.
The review could therefore lead to a more clearly defined and transparent process for future RTE admissions in Andhra Pradesh.
What Parents Should Watch For
Parents looking for RTE admissions in private schools should keep an eye on future announcements from the Andhra Pradesh School Education Department regarding:
- Revised RTE eligibility rules
- New admission schedules
- School-wise seat availability
- Online application procedures
- Lottery/allotment process
- Required documents
- Reimbursement rules
- Grievance and complaint mechanisms
For now, the committee has been constituted to recommend changes; the final revised RTE rules have not yet been issued.
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