The Delhi government will grant recognition to private unaided schools in non-conforming areas, creating 20,000 new seats for EWS, DG, and CWSN students. The move ensures transparency, accountability, and quality education for all.

The Delhi government has announced a major policy reform to grant formal recognition to private unaided schools operating in non-conforming (residential) areas. The initiative aims to ensure transparency, compliance with RTE norms, and equitable access to quality education for all.

 Delhi Government Grants Recognition to Private Schools in Residential Areas

In a landmark move, the Delhi government has decided to extend recognition to private unaided schools operating in non-conforming areas, a long-pending demand that will bring hundreds of schools under regulatory oversight.

The decision is expected to add nearly 20,000 new seats for students belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Disadvantaged Groups (DG), and Children With Special Needs (CWSN) categories.

Education Minister Ashish Sood Calls It “Justice for Children”

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said the initiative resolves a decade-old issue that left many schools in regulatory limbo due to procedural challenges.

“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 noted that nearly 500 schools are likely to come under the Directorate of Education (DoE), ensuring legitimacy, accountability, and transparency in school operations.

 20,000 Additional Seats for EWS, DG, and CWSN Students

Each year, the DoE receives around 2 lakh applications for approximately 40,000 seats under EWS, DG, and CWSN categories, many of which remain vacant due to a lack of recognised schools.
The new recognition policy aims to bridge this gap by creating 20,000 additional seats, expanding access to quality education for disadvantaged students.

Recognition Process and Compliance Rules

The DoE’s online portal will be open for applications from November 1 to 30, 2025.
Schools must submit documents following the 73-point DoE pro forma, covering infrastructure, legal compliance, teacher qualifications, safety, and academic standards.

Recognition will be granted only after detailed inspection and verification of all statutory requirements as per:

• Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973

• Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009

• Relevant government circulars and notifications

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 Penalties for Non-Compliance

Schools operating without recognition or those whose recognition has expired must complete formalities immediately, the DoE warned.
Failure to comply could result in penalties under Section 18 of the RTE Act, 2009, including:

• ₹1 lakh fine for initial violation

• ₹10,000 per day for continued non-compliance

The DoE also stated that EWS, DG, and CWSN reimbursements will only be approved for schools with valid recognition at the time of claim submission.

Ensuring Continuity and Student Safety

Parents are advised to enrol their children only in DoE-recognised schools to ensure certificate validity, fee transparency, and safety compliance.
The government assured that no student will face disruption during the transition, as all measures are designed to protect learning continuity.

A Landmark Education Reform

Calling it a “landmark decision,” Minister Ashish Sood said this reform legitimises academic operations, strengthens governance, and reinforces Delhi’s commitment to inclusive and transparent education.

“Recognition under DSEAR and RTE ensures that schools maintain safety, qualified teachers, and transparency in fees — all essential to build a stronger education ecosystem,” he added.