Tamil Nadu RTE 25% Admissions 2025–26: 70,449 students enrolled across 7,717 schools

Tamil Nadu admitted 70,449 students under the 25% reservation mandated by the Right to Education (RTE) Act for the academic year 2025–26, as per data compiled by the School Education Department. A total of 7,717 private schools across the state participated in the admission process this year.

Out of the total admissions this year, 4,070 Nursery and Primary (N&P) schools admitted 28,077 students under the quota, while 3,647 Matriculation schools admitted 42,273 students in LKG.

In contrast, 21 schools admitted a total of 99 students in Class 1, indicating that entry-level participation continues to remain heavily skewed toward LKG. This pattern of higher LKG admissions and limited Class 1 entries has remained consistent across recent academic years, reflecting the preference for pre-primary entry under RTE in Tamil Nadu’s private school system.

Consistency in student enrolments despite fewer schools

As per the official data, between 2020–21 and 2025–26, the total number of schools under the RTE admission process declined from 8,613 to 7,717, while the number of students admitted remained largely stable, ranging between 65,000 and 71,000 each year.

The data suggests that despite a marginal reduction in the number of participating schools, the seat utilisation rate under the 25% quota has remained steady. The increase in enrolments in 2024–25 and 2025–26 indicates a possible recovery in applications following the pandemic years.

Tamil Nadu RTE 25% admission trend

A review of six years of official data reveals consistency in participation and enrolment levels under the RTE quota.

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District-wise and category trends

While the department is yet to publish a detailed district-level report for 2025–26, past data indicate that Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, and Madurai consistently record the highest number of RTE applications, primarily in private matriculation schools.

The dominance of the LKG category also reflects the structural characteristics of private schooling in Tamil Nadu, where many institutions start at the pre-primary level. As a result, direct Class 1 entry under RTE remains minimal, with most applicants entering at the LKG stage and continuing in the same institution.

Implementation and Reimbursement

Under Section 12(1)(c) of the Right to Education Act, 2009, private unaided schools are required to reserve 25% of entry-level seats for children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. The state government reimburses these schools based on the per-child expenditure fixed annually.

Admissions are conducted through the online RTE portal, managed by the Directorate of Matriculation Schools, which carries out random computerised allotment and monitors compliance.

The final phase of RTE admissions, including the random allotment process in cases where applications exceed the available seats, is being conducted on October 30 and 31, 2025. After the process concludes, the selected students will be marked under the RTE quota in the EMIS portal, confirming their enrolment for the academic year.