Overview

• A Lucknow division bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Jaspreet Singh continued the status quo on mergers in Sitapur.
• The Uttar Pradesh government told the court it will not merge primary schools with more than 50 students or schools located over one kilometre apart.
• Additional Advocate General Anuj Kudesia said instructions reflecting the assurance have been sent to all Basic Shiksha Adhikaris across the state.
• The bench clarified the interim order is confined to Sitapur and does not halt the state's broader consolidation policy.
• The litigation challenges a June 16 directive to merge thousands of low‑enrolment schools, with petitioners citing RTE distance and safety concerns and the court earlier noting irregularities in state records.