Education Rights

A private or government school refusing an eligible child, or holding a young child back a grade.

1. Approach the School Management Committee/District Education Officer with proof of eligibility.
2. File with the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) if refused.
3. Remember: RTE bars expulsion or holding a child back before Class 8 — academic support must be given instead.

Physical, psychological, or online ragging connected to college life — all of it is covered.

UGC Regulations on Curbing Ragging, 2009 (and equivalent AICTE rules) mandate every institution to have an Anti-Ragging Committee and Squad, criminalise ragging in any form — not just physical — and require immediate action including suspension or expulsion of the offender.

1. Call the National Anti-Ragging Helpline 1800-180-5522 (24x7) — complaints can be made anonymously.
2. Report to your institution's Anti-Ragging Committee.
3. File a police complaint — ragging involving physical/sexual abuse is also a criminal offence under BNS.
4. The institution must act within a fixed timeframe and cannot penalise you for reporting.

Two of the most common institutional pressure tactics — both legally challengeable.

Many states have Fee Regulatory Acts requiring institutions to justify fee hikes before a Fee Regulatory Committee, and courts have repeatedly held that institutions cannot withhold a student's original certificates or marksheets to pressure fee payment.

1. Request the fee hike justification in writing from the institution.
2. Complain to your State Fee Regulatory Committee/Directorate of Education if the hike looks arbitrary or exceeds permitted limits.
3. For withheld certificates, escalate directly to the Education Department — courts have consistently ruled against this practice.

Many eligible students never apply simply because they don't know where to look.

1. Check the National Scholarship Portal for centrally sponsored scholarships across SC/ST/OBC/EWS/minority/disability categories.
2. Apply through your institution for reservation benefits with the relevant caste/category/disability certificate.
3. If wrongly denied, complain to the National/State Commission relevant to your category.