NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has announced a landmark decision to grant formal recognition to private unaided schools operating in areas previously designated as ‘non-conforming’. This initiative is expected to generate an additional 20,000 seats for students belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Disadvantaged Groups (DG), and Children With Special Needs (CWSN).
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood highlighted that this policy aims to resolve a persistent, decade-old challenge that left hundreds of schools functioning without official recognition, often due to bureaucratic hurdles or what he described as a ‘discriminatory approach’ from past administrations. “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 stated.
The minister further elaborated that approximately 500 schools are anticipated to come under the regulatory framework of the Directorate of Education (DoE). This inclusion will ensure legitimacy, robust regulatory oversight, and greater accountability within these institutions. Currently, the Directorate receives around 200,000 applications annually across the EWS, DG, and CWSN categories, but only about 40,000 seats are available, with many remaining unfilled due to a shortage of recognized schools.
The new recognition policy is a crucial step towards expanding equitable access to education and is projected to add about 20,000 much-needed seats. According to the DoE, numerous private schools in Delhi have been operating without valid recognition, while others failed to renew their provisional approvals. To address this, the education department has launched a one-time application window for private unaided schools in both conforming and non-conforming areas to seek recognition.
The application process, which will be conducted online from November 1 to 30, 2025, will strictly adhere to the Delhi School Education Act and Rules (DSEAR), 1973, and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. Schools must submit comprehensive documentation following a 73-point pro forma that evaluates legal, infrastructural, safety, emergency preparedness, and academic standards. Recognition will only be granted after a thorough inspection and verification of compliance with all statutory requirements.
The DoE has also urged all private unaided schools with expired provisional recognition to complete their procedural formalities and secure an extension without delay. Non-compliance will result in severe penalties under Section 18 of the RTE Act, 2009, including a fine of Rs 1 lakh, an additional Rs 10,000 per day for ongoing violations, and potential administrative and statutory actions. Furthermore, reimbursement for EWS, DG, and CWSN admissions will only be provided to schools holding a valid recognition letter from the DoE.
Minister Sood contrasted this new process with the 2013 recognition drive, which he said benefited only a select few through preferential approvals, emphasizing that the current approach prioritizes transparency and fairness. Recognition under DSEAR and the RTE Act mandates compliance with essential norms covering infrastructure, safety, teacher qualifications, and fee transparency, also enabling schools to upgrade to secondary and senior secondary levels.
Parents are advised to enroll their children exclusively in DoE-recognized schools to guarantee certificate validity, safety compliance, and eligibility for government benefits. The government has reassured that this transition process is designed to protect the continuity of learning, ensuring no student faces disruption. Sood concluded by calling this reform a “landmark decision” that legitimizes academic operations, secures schooling continuity, and reaffirms the Delhi government’s dedication to inclusive, transparent, and accountable educational governance.