The Constitution (Eighty-Sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A into the Constitution of India, making education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14 years.
The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 ensures that every child receives satisfactory and equitable quality education in a formal school environment that fulfills essential educational standards and norms.
The term “free education” means that no child shall be denied elementary education due to financial limitations. “Compulsory education” places responsibility on the Government and local authorities to ensure admission, attendance, and completion of elementary education for all eligible children.