LUCKNOW, Jan. 9 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has issued comprehensive guidelines to ensure a transparent admission process under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, particularly Section 12(1)(c). The section mandates 25% reservation to children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged groups in unaided recognised private schools. In an order issued on Thursday, Partha Sarathi Sen Sharma, additional chief secretary (basic and secondary education), directed DMs and district education authorities to implement the revised admission process for the 2026-27 academic session. The instructions superseded the earlier government order dated September 8, 2025. Under the revised guidelines, unaided recognised private schools must admit children from disadvantaged and weaker sections to the extent of at least 25% of seats in Class I or pre-primary classes, depending on the school's entry level, ensuring free and compulsory education. District-wise annual admission targets will be fixed based on 25% of the total intake capacity of all unaided private schools operating in each district. The entire admission process will be conducted online through the RTE portal (www.rte25.upsdc.gov.in). Parents can select up to 10 neighbourhood schools within their local body. Admissions will be finalised through a two-stage online lottery system, ensuring transparency and fairness. Applications will undergo two-tier verification-first by the block education officer and then by the district basic education officer. Schools have been instructed not to demand any fees or additional documents from admitted students. Violations, including denial of admission or harassment of parents, will attract action under Section 13 of the RTE Act....