RTE admissions simplified in Uttar Pradesh, child’s Aadhaar no longer compulsory

The Uttar Pradesh government has eased the admission process under the Right to Education framework by removing the requirement of a child’s Aadhaar number, a move aimed at ensuring that no eligible student is denied entry to school for want of documentation.

According to officials, the decision has been taken to address repeated complaints from parents who were unable to complete online applications because their children did not have Aadhaar cards. Under the revised process, parents can submit alternative identity documents while applying for admission in private unaided schools earmarked under the RTE quota.

The change applies to admissions for children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups, for whom 25 percent seats are reserved in private schools. Authorities clarified that while Aadhaar details of parents may still be sought for verification, a child’s enrolment will not be linked to possession of the document.

Education department officials said the move is intended to make the admission process more inclusive and to prevent delays that have, in previous years, led to seats remaining vacant despite demand. Schools have been instructed not to turn away applicants on the grounds that a child does not have Aadhaar.

The state government is expected to issue detailed guidelines to districts and schools to ensure uniform compliance during the ongoing admission cycle. Officials added that monitoring mechanisms will be strengthened to check any violations at the school level.

The decision is likely to benefit thousands of families across the state, particularly migrant workers and those in rural areas, where access to documentation often remains uneven.