Overview

• The Union education ministry sanctioned about ₹700 crore under RTE entitlements—₹362 crore for 2024–25 and ₹352 crore for 2025–26—to be disbursed in two instalments.
• Tamil Nadu will issue the admission notification on October 6, open a 10-day online window on October 9, and publish the final eligible list on October 14.
• Schools must identify eligible children already in entry-level classes, obtain written parental consent, and upload seats filled as of September 30 by October 7 under district-level monitoring.
• Any fees collected from RTE-eligible students must be refunded within seven working days, with confirmation from both schools and parents.
• The release followed Madras High Court directions and a Supreme Court notice after a funding standoff reportedly tied to NEP conditions, and the state has highlighted priority groups including children living with HIV, transgender children, and children of sanitation workers.