Frequently Asked Questions

Ans. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act), enacted on August 4, 2009, guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years in India. It applies to government and private unaided (non-minority) schools and makes education a fundamental right under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. The Act ensures that no child is denied access to education due to economic or social disadvantages.

Ans. Section 12(1)(c) mandates that private unaided schools (except minority institutions) reserve at least 25% of seats in Class 1 (or pre-primary, if applicable) for children belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Disadvantaged Groups (DG). This provision enables underprivileged children to access quality education in private schools.

Ans. The objective of RTE 12(1)(c) is:
✔ Inclusive education – Ensuring that children from EWS/DG backgrounds study alongside children from other social groups.
✔ Equal opportunity – Providing quality education to underprivileged children in private schools.
✔ Government support – Schools receive reimbursement for the cost of education for these students.

Ans. ✔ Free admission – No tuition or related fees for selected students.
✔ Quality education – Admission to private unaided schools.
✔ Equal rights – No discrimination in classrooms, books, uniforms, or facilities.
✔ Government reimbursement – Schools receive financial support for educating RTE students.

Ans. No, RTE 12(1)(c) applies only to private unaided non-minority schools recognised by the government.
Exemptions:
1. Private minority schools (religious/linguistic) and residential schools are not covered under RTE.
2. If a residential school offers day-boarding, RTE applies only to the day-boarding facility.

Ans. The Directorate of Elementary Education, Government of Tripura, along with District Education Officers (DEO) and Block Education Officers (BEO)/IS, is responsible for monitoring RTE admissions, school compliance, and reimbursements.

Ans. 25% of the total seats in Class 1 (or pre-primary, if applicable) are reserved for EWS/DG children in eligible private unaided schools.

Ans. The number of RTE seats is based on:
1. Existing schools – The average Class 1 (or pre-primary) strength over the last 3 years.
2. Newly recognised schools – The approved class strength set by the education department.

Ans. Non-compliance with RTE 12(1)(c) can result in:
1. Penalties and fines are imposed on the school.
2. Cancellation of school recognition by the education department.
3. Legal action.

Ans. The government reimburses schools for each student admitted under Section 12(1)(c). The reimbursement is based on:
1. The per-child cost set by the state government OR
2. The actual fee charged by the school (whichever is lower).

Ans. Schools must submit invoices online via the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal (https://rteshikshasopan.com). The reimbursement process includes:
1. Schools submit invoices through the portal.
2. The Inspectorate of Schools (IS) verifies them.
3. The District Education Officer (DEO) reviews & approves the invoices.
4. Final approval by the Directorate of Elementary Education.
5. Funds are transferred to the school's RTE-designated bank account.

Ans. The Directorate of Elementary Education conducts a computerised lottery system to ensure fairness and transparency. The selection follows a priority system:
✔ First Preference:
1. Orphans
2. Children with Disabilities (CWSN)
3. Children affected by HIV/AIDS
✔ Second Preference:
1. Children from Tea Garden/Migrant Worker families
2. Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe children from BPL/Adhoc BPL families
✔ Third Preference:
1. Children whose parent/guardian has passed away, leaving them financially weak
2. Children of Martyred Soldiers
✔ Final Selection:
1. All remaining eligible children are considered based on lottery allocation.

Ans. Under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, private unaided schools (except minority institutions) are required to reserve 25 percent of their Class 1 seats (or pre-primary, if applicable) for children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups (DG). This provision allows eligible children to receive free and compulsory education in private schools, ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Ans. To be eligible for admission, children must belong to one of the following categories:

a) Disadvantaged Groups (DG):

• Orphans
• Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) children
• Children with Disabilities (as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016) / CWSN Children
• Children affected by HIV/AIDS
• Children of martyred soldiers and Central Armed Police Forces personnel
• Children of migrant or tea garden workers

b) Economically Weaker Sections (EWS):

• Families with an annual income below two lakh rupees
• Families possessing an Antyodaya, BPL, or Adhoc BPL card
• Children who have lost a parent and are financially dependent

Ans. Children who come from the following criteria will not be allowed to get benefits under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act 2009:
i. Family having any member as a Government employee
ii. Family having enterprises registered with the Government
iii. Any member of the family paying income tax
iv. Family earning more than Rupees eight lakh per annum

Ans. Parents can apply through the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal at https://www.rteshikshasopan.com. The application process involves the following steps:
1. Visit the portal and click on the Register option at the top.
2. Enter your mobile number, fill in the CAPTCHA, and submit.
3. You will receive an OTP, which must be validated to proceed.
4. Create a password, after which you will be automatically redirected to the student login page.

Note: If not redirected, go to the login page, select student login, and log in using your mobile number, the password you created, and the CAPTCHA.

5. Fill in all required details, including income limit, and upload:
• Child’s photograph (maximum 100 KB)
• Category certificate (DG/EWS) in PDF format (maximum 100 KB)
• Parent’s signature (maximum 100 KB)

6. Click Next, enter address details, and then select up to five schools.
7. Submit the application and download the confirmation receipt.
8. Print a copy of the submitted form and attach photocopies of all required documents separately for each selected school. Submit these to the respective schools in person.

Ans. Parents must submit self-attested copies of the following documents:

• Birth certificate (issued by the municipal corporation, panchayat, hospital, Anganwadi record, or affidavit declaration by the parent/guardian)
• Proof of residence (Aadhaar card, voter ID, ration card, electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.)
• Caste certificate (for SC/ST applicants)
• Disability certificate (for children with disabilities)
• Income certificate (stating an annual income below two lakh rupees or possession of an Antyodaya, BPL, or Adhoc BPL card)

Note: SC/ST children who hold BPL, Antyodaya, or Adhoc BPL cards will be given preference in the lottery as per the existing notification.

Ans. The Directorate of Elementary Education conducts a computerised lottery system to ensure fairness in the selection process. The selection is prioritised as follows:

1. First preference is given to orphans, children with disabilities, and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
2. Second preference is given to children of migrant workers and those from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories who hold BPL status.
3. Third preference is given to children who have lost a parent and children of martyred soldiers.
4. Remaining applicants are considered for selection based on available seats.

Ans. After the lottery process, parents will be informed about their child's selection through the following channels:

1. SMS Notification: Parents of selected students will receive a confirmation message on their registered mobile number.
2. Official Notices: The list of selected students will be displayed at the Block Education Office (BEO), District Education Office (DEO), and the selected schools.
3. School Notification: Schools can access the list of selected students through the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal under the ‘Student Info’ section. Parents can visit the selected school to verify their child's selection status.

Note: Parents who do not receive an SMS or need further clarification can visit the Block Education Office (BEO) or the allotted school to check their child's admission status.

Ans. Parents of selected students must:

1. Visit the allotted school with the receipt received during application submission and all original documents.
2. Have the documents verified by the school authorities.
3. Once the verification is complete, the school will forward the admission approval to the District Education Office.

Ans. No, once the child has been allotted a school, changes cannot be made. However, if the selected school refuses admission, the District Education Officer will intervene and reassign the child to another school.

Ans. No, children admitted under RTE 12(1)(c) receive completely free education. This includes:
• Tuition fees
• Uniforms
• Books
• Mid-day meals (if applicable)

Ans. Once the child is admitted, parents must:

• Ensure regular school attendance.
• Participate in parent-teacher meetings and school activities.
• Support the child’s learning at home.
• Notify the school in case of change in address or contact information.

Ans. If a school refuses to admit a child who has been allotted through the RTE lottery, parents should:

1. File a complaint with the District Education Officer or Inspectorate of Schools.
2. Escalate the matter to the Directorate of Elementary Education if the issue remains unresolved.
3. Contact the RTE Helpline at 080-456-80503 for further assistance. Simply give a missed call, and we will get back to you within 24 hours to resolve your grievance.

Ans. If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, you may:

• Visit the nearest Block Education Office for assistance.
• Seek help from the designated RTE Help Desk at schools.
• Give a missed call to the RTE helpline number 080-456-80503, and we will get back to you within 24 hours to resolve your grievance.

Ans. Schools must register on the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal by visiting https://www.rteshikshasopan.com. To begin the registration process, schools should go to the login section and select the school registration option. They must enter their UDISE+ code as both their login ID and password. After entering the CAPTCHA, they can proceed to log in.

If the school’s data is already available on the portal, the school is required to update and verify the information before submitting the form. In cases where the school’s data is not available, it must provide its details in the respective district WhatsApp group following the prescribed format.

Ans. If a school is unable to log in due to an incorrect password, portal access errors, or a data mismatch, it must send its details to the respective district-level Tripura RTE Sec. 12(1)(c) stakeholders WhatsApp group. The details must be sent as a text message and not as a PDF, Word file, or image. The required details include:

• UDISE Code
• School name in block letters
• Year of establishment
• School level
• District
• Sub-division
• Block
• School address
• The principal or TIC name
• Phone number
• Email address

All details must be accurate before submission.

Ans. Schools cannot reset their passwords online. If a school forgets its login credentials, it must contact the District RTE Nodal Officer with a formal request. Upon verification, the Nodal Officer will forward the request to the IT Support Team at the Directorate of Elementary Education for resolution.

Ans. Schools are required to provide details of all teachers teaching classes one to eight in the Teacher Info section of the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal. The information must include:

• Name and qualification of each teacher
• Subjects taught and class allocation

Ans. At the registration stage, schools should leave both the Bill and Student Info sections blank. The billing process will commence only after student admissions are confirmed. Similarly, the Student Info section will be updated only after the lottery process is conducted, and schools have received the final list of students.

Ans. After completing the registration process, the school must print the report from the Report Section and submit it to the District Education Officer’s office for physical verification. The registration will be approved or rejected based on the verification outcome.

Ans. Yes, students currently studying in LKG or UKG can apply for admission to Class 1 under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, it is important to note that selection is done through an online lottery system. Applicants can choose up to five nearby schools, but there is no guarantee that they will be allocated to their current school. If a student selects only one school (their existing school), there is a risk that their name may not be drawn in the lottery, and they may not be able to avail of the benefits under this provision.

Ans. Private unaided non-minority schools recognised by the Government of Tripura must register on the RTE portal. However, religious or linguistic minority schools and residential schools, unless they have a day-boarding facility, are exempt.

Ans. Schools must verify original and self-attested copies of the following documents:

• Birth certificate for age verification (Applicable for all)
• Proof of residence, such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card (Applicable for all)
• Caste certificate for applicants belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes
• Disability certificate for children with disabilities
• Income certificate for applicants from economically weaker sections, with an income below two lakh rupees per annum, or possession of a BPL, Adhoc BPL, or Antyodaya Card.

Ans. The final list of selected students will be available on the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal under the Student Info section. Schools will also receive official notifications from the Block Education Officer.

Ans. If a parent submits incomplete documents, the school should inform them and provide guidance on obtaining the missing documents. If the parent fails to submit the required documents within the deadline, the application should be marked as incomplete on the RTE portal.

Ans. A school cannot reject a student who has been allotted through the official RTE lottery. If a school refuses to admit an allotted student, the parent may file a complaint with the District Education Officer. Non-compliance may result in penalties or de-recognition of the school.

Ans. Schools are responsible for ensuring compliance with RTE 12(1)(c) and must:

• Register on the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal
• Verify student documents and enrol selected students.
• Display admission-related information on notice boards and banners
• Assist parents in completing applications if they face technical difficulties.
• Conduct awareness campaigns in collaboration with Anganwadi Kendras, non-governmental organisations, and local voluntary groups.
• Appoint an RTE Nodal Officer to oversee the admission process.
• Maintain student attendance and performance records for reimbursement.

Ans. To enhance awareness, schools must:

• Organise public announcements regarding the admission process
• Display RTE-related information on school notice boards and banners
• Collaborate with local Anganwadi Kendras and Panchayats to inform parents
• Provide assistance to parents who lack access to digital platforms.

Ans. The Principal or a senior staff member should be appointed as the RTE Nodal Officer. The officer will act as a liaison between the school, parents, and government authorities, ensuring compliance with RTE regulations. The Nodal Officer is responsible for maintaining records of interactions and providing updates to the Directorate of Elementary Education.

Ans. Schools must upload invoices on the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal for approval.

Ans. The government reimburses tuition fees based on the per-child cost set by the state, along with expenses for books, uniforms, and meals if applicable.

Ans. The reimbursement approval process involves the following steps:

i. Schools upload invoices on the portal
ii. The Inspectorate of Schools verifies the request
iii. The District Education Officer reviews and approves the claim
iv. The Directorate of Elementary Education grants final approval
v. Funds are transferred to the school’s designated RTE bank account.

Ans. Schools should regularly check the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal at https://rteshikshasopan.com for updates. Official notifications are also issued by the Directorate of Elementary Education, Government of Tripura, and sent to registered schools via email.

Ans. Yes, the school must open a separate bank account for Section 12(1)(c) to receive reimbursement for children enrolled under the RTE Act. However, during registration, the school may initially submit details of its existing school bank account or society/trust account.
Later, the school must open a separate bank account in the school's name and update its details on the portal.

Note: The bank account must be in the name of the school; individual accounts, such as those of the principal or any other official, will not be considered for reimbursement under Section 12(1)(c).

Ans. If you have mistakenly registered your minority institution under Section 12(1)(c) on the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal, you should:

a) Write a formal letter to the District Education Officer requesting the deletion of your institution’s information from the portal.
b) Submit a self-attested copy of your institution’s Minority Certificate along with the letter.
c) Carry the original Minority Certificate for verification purposes when visiting the District Education Office.

Ans. The signature of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must be uploaded while submitting the student’s application on the RTE Shiksha Sopan Portal. The student’s signature is not required for this process.

Ans. In cases where the parents or families do not have an Antyodaya card, BPL card, or ad-hoc BPL card, they may submit an income certificate verifying that their annual family income is ₹2 lakh per annum or less. Based on this, the child shall be classified under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) for admission purposes.

However, to be considered under the disadvantage category, the student must belong to one of the specified categories, such as Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Children with Special Needs (CWSN), or any other category defined in the Tripura Notification 2024. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility criteria outlined in the notification to ensure accurate selection of the relevant category.

Ans. The only document that must explicitly mention the child’s name is the birth certificate. The birth certificate serves as the primary and legally recognized proof of the child’s identity and age.

Other supporting documents, such as caste certificates, BPL cards, income certificates, and address proofs, do not require the child’s name. These documents shall be deemed valid if they contain the name of the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s), which is sufficient for verification purposes under Section 12(1)(c).

Ans. No, it will not affect the admission process. As per the guidelines under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, 2009, it is not mandatory for a child’s name to be mentioned in the caste certificate, ration card, address proof, or income certificate. The parent’s name on these documents is sufficient for verification purposes.

Ans. No, there is no requirement under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act, 2009 mandating that a child’s name must be explicitly mentioned in documents such as the caste certificate, BPL card, income certificate, or address proof. For the purpose of verification, the presence of the parent’s name in these documents shall be deemed sufficient and valid.

The only document wherein the child’s name must mandatorily appear is the birth certificate, which serves as conclusive proof of identity and age. All other requisite documents, including those pertaining to caste, income, or residence, shall be accepted as long as they bear the name of the child’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s).

Ans. 1. Economically Weaker Section (EWS): Children from families with annual income below Rs. 2 lakh or those who already hold BPL/Antyodaya cards.

2. Disadvantaged Category: Includes children from SC/ST, disabled children, orphaned children, children with HIV, etc. For this category, the income should be below Rs. 8 lakh. However, preference will be given to students from families earning less than Rs. 2 lakh per annum, or those who already hold BPL/Antyodaya cards.

Ans. Yes. Although the term “APL” is not specifically mentioned in Tripura’s Section 12(1)(c) notification, any child from a family with annual income less than Rs. 2 lakh can apply under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category. If the family does not have a BPL, Ad-Hoc BPL, or Antyodaya card, they can submit an income certificate as proof.

Ans. No, there is no separate category for APL students. The only eligible categories are:
• Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
• Disadvantaged Category

Students from these categories must either have a BPL/Ad-Hoc BPL/Antyodaya card or submit an income certificate showing income below the required limit. Among these, preference is given to students from families earning less than Rs. 2 lakh, or those who already hold BPL/Antyodaya cards.

Ans. Select the option “Students with BPL card” or “Disadvantaged category with BPL/Antyodaya card” (depending on the student’s background). Then upload the income certificate in place of the BPL card. The income certificate is accepted as a substitute document—it does not create a new category, but simply helps validate the student’s eligibility under EWS or Disadvantaged Category.

Ans. We have seen many people face this problem, and the most common reason is that they are taking too much time to fill out the form. When you open the form link, it works for only 10 to 15 minutes. After that, it expires and will not work anymore, even if you try to submit it.

✅ What you should do:

1. Collect all information before you start – child’s name, Aadhaar number, address, documents, etc.

2. Then open the form and fill it quickly.

3. Try to complete and submit the form within 10–15 minutes.

Ans. There could be three main reasons why the student registration page is not working after you click the submit button. First and most commonly, the issue occurs when the form takes too long to fill out and submit. The registration session is only active for about 15 minutes. If you take longer than that, the session expires, and the website may stop functioning properly. Therefore, it is important to prepare all necessary information and documents beforehand and complete the submission within the time limit.

Secondly, the problem may be due to uploading files that exceed the allowed size limit. The system only accepts files under 100 KB, including the student's photo, signature, and category certificate. If any of these documents are larger than 100 KB, the form may not submit and can cause the portal to crash. Make sure to compress your files using free online tools before uploading them.

The third reason is related to how the student's address is entered. After selecting the state, district, subdivision, and entering the PIN code, many users begin typing the address manually. This should be avoided. Instead, you must select the student’s address from the dropdown list that appears. These dropdown options are preloaded with accurate location data, including latitude and longitude. If you type the address instead of selecting it from the list, the form may stop working and fail to submit. Always choose the closest matching address from the list provided.