HomeRTE Act GuideDefinitionsSchool Belonging to Specified Category
Section 2(n)(iii) of the RTE Act

School Belonging to Specified Category

"Specified category" schools are schools specifically notified by the government — primarily Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Sainik Schools, and similar centrally-run institutions.

Legal Text

a school belonging to specified category as defined by the appropriate Government by notification.

Plain Language

"Specified category" schools are schools specifically notified by the government — primarily Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Sainik Schools, and similar centrally-run institutions.

Why This Matters

Specified category schools must also provide 25% free seats under Section 12(1)(c) to children from disadvantaged and weaker sections.

Examples
  • Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV): specified category school
  • Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV): specified category school
  • Sainik School: specified category school
  • Must reserve 25% seats for disadvantaged/weaker section children
Read in Context
Jump to Section 2(n)(iii) in Full Act
See also

Related Terms

Section 2(a)
Appropriate Government

"Appropriate Government" means: the Central Government for centrally funded schools (like Kendriya Vidyalayas) and Union Territory schools; the State Government for all other schools within the state.

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Section 2(n)
School

The Act covers 4 types of schools: (1) Government schools, (2) Government-aided schools, (3) Specified category schools (Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sainik Schools), and (4) Private unaided schools.

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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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