CHENNAI – The Tamil Nadu government has opened admissions under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) for the 2025-26 academic year. The online admission portal is active from October 6, 2025 , to October 17, 2025 . This special window is for regularizing eligible children already admitted into entry-level classes.
This decision follows the release of the state’s share of RTE reimbursement funds by the Government of India. The action complies with directives issued by the Madras High Court and subsequent proceedings before the Supreme Court of India.
Understanding the RTE Act
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, mandates free and compulsory education for all children aged 6 to 14 years. Under this Act, private unaided schools must reserve 25% of their entry-level seats for children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. The state government reimburses schools for these admissions, ensuring access to quality education without financial burden on eligible families.
Admission Process for 2025-26
The Tamil Nadu RTE 2025-26 admissions will be conducted exclusively online through the official RTE portal. This year’s process specifically targets children already admitted in the entry-level class of a school. Entry-level classes typically refer to Lower Kindergarten (LKG) or Class 1, depending on the school’s structure.
A dedicated 10-day online admission window has been scheduled. Its primary purpose is to regularize the enrollment of eligible children already attending schools under the RTE quota provisions. This ensures proper documentation and official recognition for these students within the state’s education system.
Key Dates for Tamil Nadu RTE 2025 Admissions
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admission Notification issued | October 6, 2025 |
| Schools upload total seats filled in entry-level class as on 30.09.2025 | October 7, 2025 |
| 25% RTE seats identified and made visible through school login | October 8, 2025 |
| Upload details of all eligible children (Aadhaar, DOB, address, income/community certificates, Parent Declaration under G.O. No. 66, dated 07.04.2017) | October 9, 2025 |
| Display of eligible/ineligible applicants on school notice board; parents given opportunity to submit missing documents | October 10, 2025, and October 13, 2025 |
| Publication of final list of eligible children | October 14, 2025 |
| Tagging of eligible children under RTE quota in EMIS Portal, if less than 25% seats filled | October 15, 2025 |
| If applications exceed 25%, random selection conducted after granting admission to priority categories; selected names displayed immediately | October 16, 2025 |
| Tagging of selected children (through random selection) in EMIS Portal | October 17, 2025 |
Priority Admission Categories
Priority admission is granted to children belonging to specific vulnerable groups, ensuring equitable access to education. These categories include orphans, HIV-affected or infected children, transgender children, children of scavengers, and differently-abled children. These students receive preferential consideration for the available RTE seats.
Selection Process Details
Should the number of eligible applications exceed the available 25% RTE quota, a transparent random selection process will be conducted. This selection occurs after admissions for priority categories are finalized. Names of selected children will be displayed immediately following the random selection, maintaining full transparency.
The Educational Management Information System (EMIS) Portal plays a crucial role throughout the admission process. It is utilized to identify and make visible the 25% RTE seats, and subsequently to ‘tag’ eligible and selected children for official record-keeping. This digital tracking ensures accurate and systematic management of RTE admissions.
Parents and guardians are advised to check the official RTE portal for further instructions and to ensure all necessary documents are submitted within the specified deadlines. Adhering to this schedule is essential for securing admission under the RTE Act.