The Bihar Education Department extended the enrolment deadline for students selected under the Right to Education (RTE) Act to April 10, 2026. This decision comes after reports showed that over 16,000 selected students were still waiting for admission in various private schools across the state. Primary Education Director Vikram Virkar instructed district officials to ensure that all selected candidates complete their enrollment within this new timeframe. The government warned that private schools failing to comply with these orders will face strict legal action.
Important Admission Statistics and Key Dates
The state government completed the online randomization process on February 23, 2026, selecting 70,155 students for free education in private schools. However, data indicates that many schools showed indifference toward the previous March 20 deadline. The department wants to ensure every selected child gets their seat before the new session begins.
| Event or Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| New Admission Deadline | April 10, 2026 |
| Previous Deadline | March 20, 2026 |
| Total Selected Students | 70,155 |
| Students Already Admitted | 53,479 |
| Pending Admissions | 16,676 |
| Eligibility Age Cut-off | Minimum 6 years as of April 1, 2026 |
Eligibility Rules for RTE Admissions in Bihar
Under the RTE Act, all recognized private schools must reserve 25% of their entry-level seats for children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. The state government covers all education costs, including books and uniforms, for these students. A committee led by the Director of Primary Education will also work on strategies to include differently-abled children in this process.
- EWS Category: Families with an annual income below 2 lakh rupees can apply.
- Disadvantaged Groups: Annual family income should not exceed 1 lakh rupee for SC, ST, OBC, EBC, and minority categories.
- Residence: Applicants must be permanent residents of Bihar to avail of this benefit.
- School Proximity: Seat allocation prioritizes students living within 0 to 6 km of the school.
- Exemptions: Minority institutions do not fall under these specific RTE reservation provisions.
