Bengaluru: The number of seats earmarked under the Right to Education (RTE) quota in Karnataka fell by nearly 28% in a year, from 2.3 lakh in 2024-25 to just under 1.7 lakh in 2025-26, according to data submitted by the Union education ministry in Parliament. The private schools’ association attributed this drop to the large number of schools that have not received recognition renewal yet.The state govt had earmarked 1,67,860 seats under Section 12(1)(c) of RTE Act in 2025-26, as against 2,33,110 seats the previous year. However, actual admissions rose sharply — from just 44,605 in 2024-25 to 1,59,131 in 2025-26.“The fall in seats is because a large number of schools have not been mapped as they lack renewal of recognition. Getting RRs has been an issue with schools for several months after govt changed the rules for the certificate. Several schools are thus not included in it now. Additionally, in 2024, schools were even unable to apply on Student Achievement and Tracking System (SATS) as the portal was not even opening,” said D Shashi Kumar, secretary, Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools of Karnataka.The data, provided by Union minister of state for education Jayant Chaudhary, shows significant fluctuations in RTE seats and admissions in Karnataka over the past five years. From 2021-22 to 2023-24, all seats were filled. This included 4.5 lakh in 2021-22, 1.6 lakh in 2022-23, and 3.4 lakh in 2023-24.In 2024-25, when RTE admissions were low, the Centre released only Rs 85 crore of the Rs 200 crore sanctioned amount to the state. For 2025-26, the Centre sanctioned Rs 156 crore towards reimbursement of RTE admissions, of which Rs 148.7 crore has been reimbursed to schools.Under Section 12(1)(c) of RTE, private unaided schools are required to reserve at least 25% of entry-level seats for children from weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. The schools are reimbursed for these admissions. Of the total amount, 60% is reimbursed from the Centre and 40% from the state.Karnataka, fearing that the rule is turning into a white elephant, with large sums being given away for reimbursements, tweaked its RTE rules in such a way that admissions under the provision would be available only where there is no govt or aided school in the defined neighbourhood offering the relevant class.BOXIN A NUTSHELLYear—- Total number of seats— Actual admissions– Amount sanctioned— Reimbursed to schools2021-22— 4,46,304— 4,46,304— Rs 199.98 cr—- Rs 199.9 cr2022-23– 1,60,810— 1,60,810— Rs 191.8 cr— Rs 191.8 cr2023-24— 3,45,057— 3,45,057— Rs 199.9 cr—- Rs 199.9 cr2024-25– 2,33,110— 44,605— Rs 200 cr— Rs 85.1 cr2025-26— 1,67,860— 1,59,131— Rs 156 cr— Rs 148.7 cr
