🏚️ Running an Unrecognised School
Any school established after the RTE Act that has not obtained recognition is committing an offence under Section 18.
What This Violation Looks Like
Why It Happens
Recognition requires meeting infrastructure norms (Section 19 Schedule) including land, building, playgrounds, toilets, library, and teacher qualifications. Many schools cannot or do not want to meet these norms, and operate informally especially in areas with weak regulation.
Legal Definition & Penalty
Section 18 of the RTE Act requires every school established after the commencement of the Act (April 1, 2010) to obtain recognition from the competent authority. Section 19 provides that no school shall be established or run without obtaining recognition. Operating without recognition is a punishable offence.
Penalty — Section 18(5)
₹1,00,000 (one lakh) and ₹10,000 per day for continuing violation
Additional consequence: School can be ordered to close. Criminal proceedings may be initiated against the management.
Evidence to Collect
Before filing your complaint, collect:
How to Report This Violation
Verify recognition status
Ask the school for its recognition certificate number and issuing authority. Cross-check on the U-DISE portal (udiseplus.gov.in) or your state education department's school directory.
File complaint with DEO
File a formal complaint with the DEO providing the school name, address, and your finding that it lacks recognition. The DEO is empowered to order closure of unrecognised schools.
File with SCPCR / NCPCR
SCPCR and NCPCR both have authority to investigate unrecognised schools. NCPCR has conducted raids on unrecognised schools in multiple states.
File a police complaint
Running an unrecognised school is a criminal offence. You can file a complaint at the local police station, though education department action is usually faster.
Who to Complain To
Complaint Template
To, The District Education Officer, [District Name], [State Name] Sir/Madam,I write to bring to your attention that [School Name], located at [Full Address], appears to be operating without valid recognition under Section 18 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Evidence: [School could not produce recognition certificate / UDISE portal shows no record / recognition has lapsed since / etc.] The school currently has approximately [number] students enrolled and is collecting fees of ₹[amount] per student, despite lacking the legal authorisation to operate. Under Section 18(5), operating an unrecognised school is punishable with a fine of ₹1,00,000 and ₹10,000 per day of continued violation. I request: 1. An inspection of [School Name] to verify its recognition status. 2. If unrecognised, immediate action under Section 18(5) including closure order. 3. Protection of the students currently enrolled — they should be transferred to recognised schools.Yours faithfully, [Your Full Name] [Your Address] [Your Mobile Number] [Date]
Related Violations
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