HomeRTE Act GuideDefinitionsChild with Disability
Section 2(d) of the RTE Act

Child with Disability

A child with disability is defined as per the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 — covering blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, loco-motor disability, leprosy-cured, mental retardation, mental illness, and autism (plus cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities under the 1999 Act).

A child with disability is defined as per the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 — covering blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, loco-motor disability, leprosy-cured, mental retardation, mental illness, and autism (plus cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities under the 1999 Act).

Children with disabilities have the same right to free and compulsory education. Schools must make reasonable accommodations. The Act prohibits discrimination against children with disabilities in admission or education.

Examples
  • A child with visual impairment: has full RTE rights
  • A child with autism: has full RTE rights
  • A child with hearing impairment: has full RTE rights
  • Schools must provide barrier-free access per Schedule norms

This guide is published by Mahadev Maitri Foundation — free, independent education resource. We help families in rural India understand and enforce their rights under the RTE Act.

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⚠️ Content on this page is provided on a best-effort basis for general information only. Laws and rules change — please verify details on official government websites (dsel.education.gov.in and your state's education portal) before taking action. Mahadev Maitri Foundation is not responsible for decisions made based on this content.