Delhi govt to add 20,000 seats in schools for EWS, special needs students

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has decided to grant recognition to private unaided schools operating in non-conforming areas, paving the way for nearly 20,000 new seats for students from economically weaker sections, disadvantaged groups, and children with special needs.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said the move aims to resolve a decade-old issue affecting hundreds of schools functioning without formal recognition due to procedural hurdles or the "discriminatory approach" of previous regimes.

"For over a decade, this issue remained buried in files while children were denied their right to education . Under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta , we have ended this selective discrimination. This is not only an administrative reform , but also justice for our children and fairness for our institutions," Sood said.

The minister added that nearly 500 schools are expected to come under the ambit of the Directorate of Education (DoE), which would ensure legitimacy, regulatory oversight and accountability.

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Private schools in Delhi operating without valid recognition, says Sood

Each year, the Directorate receives around 2 lakh applications under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Disadvantaged Groups (DG), and Children With Special Needs (CWSN) categories for approximately 40,000 seats, many of which remain vacant due to the shortage of recognised schools.

The new recognition policy is expected to create about 20,000 additional seats, expanding equitable access to education, the minister said. According to the DoE, a number of private schools in Delhi have been operating without valid recognition, while some that were granted recognition earlier failed to apply for extensions after the expiry of their provisional approval.

As a one-time opportunity in public interest, the education department invited applications from private unaided schools from both conforming and non-conforming areas seeking recognition, it said.

According to the DoE, the process will be carried out strictly in line with the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 and other relevant instructions and circulars issued from time to time. The DoE's online portal will open for applications from November 1 to 30, 2025.

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Parents advised to enrol children only in DoE-recognised schools

Schools are required to submit documentation in accordance with the 73-point pro forma prescribed by the DoE, which assesses legal, infrastructural, safety, emergency preparedness and academic parameters. "Recognition will be granted only after detailed inspection and verification of compliance with all statutory requirements," it stated.

The DoE has further directed all private unaided schools whose provisional recognition has expired to complete procedural formalities and secure an extension at the earliest. It warned that failure to comply would invite penal action under Section 18 of the RTE Act, 2009, which includes a fine of Rs 1 lakh and an additional Rs 10,000 per day for continuing violations.

Administrative and statutory action under the RTE Act and DSEAR may also be initiated in such cases. The department also stated that reimbursement for admissions under the EWS, DG and CWSN categories will be considered only for schools holding a valid recognition letter from the DoE at the time of submitting reimbursement claims.

The minister said the last recognition drive in 2013 benefitted only a few schools through selective approvals, while the new process ensures transparency and fairness. Recognition under the DSEAR and RTE Act mandate compliance with norms related to infrastructure, safety, teacher qualifications, and fee transparency and allows schools to upgrade to secondary and senior secondary levels.

Parents have been advised to enrol their children only in DoE-recognised schools to ensure certificate validity, safety compliance and eligibility for government benefits. The government assured that no student will face disruption during the transition, as the process is designed to protect continuity of learning, the DoE added.

Calling it a "landmark decision", Sood added the reform legitimises academic operations, secures continuity of schooling and reinforces the Delhi government's commitment to inclusive, transparent and accountable governance in education.