Chennai: The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has announced the commencement of free admissions in private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, following the release of funds by the Central Government.

Earlier, the RTE fund was suspended as Tamil Nadu had not formally adopted the National Education Policy and related directives. However, following directives from the Madras High Court and Supreme Court, the fund has now been released, enabling free admissions for the 2025-26 academic year.

The Secretary of School Education, Chandramohan, stated that children can be admitted to LKG and Class 1 through the official portal of non-minority private schools. Priority will be given to destitute children, HIV-affected, transgender students, children of sanitation workers, and differently-abled students. If applications exceed available seats, a lottery system will be conducted.

The admission process is scheduled as follows: applications on October 6, provisional lists on October 7-10, document submission until October 13, final lists by October 14-15, and lotteries for remaining seats on October 16.

Parents can apply via rteadmission@tnschools.gov.in and contact 14417 for any tuition fee refund complaints.