New Delhi: Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, VK Saxena, has strongly recommended that the Delhi government increase the income limit for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category admissions in private schools. Currently, the income limit stands at ₹1 lakh annually for eligibility under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which mandates that 25% of seats in private unaided schools be reserved for EWS students. Saxena’s proposal to raise the income limit to ₹5 lakh, with an ideal target of ₹8 lakh, reflects concerns over the inadequacy of the current threshold, given rising wages and the economic conditions in the city.
This recommendation comes after the Delhi High Court’s observations in December 2023, which suggested that the income limit should be dynamic and change in response to the evolving economic landscape. Saxena pointed out that the current threshold does not accurately represent the financial hardships faced by families, especially considering that skilled workers in Delhi earn more than the ₹2.5 lakh limit currently set by the government for the EWS category. As a result, many families are effectively excluded from accessing the reserved seats for their children in private schools, despite being economically disadvantaged.
In his note, Saxena highlighted the issue of vacant EWS seats in Delhi’s private schools. Data reveals that about 11% of the reserved EWS seats have remained unfilled in the past three academic sessions. This, he argued, reflects a policy failure, as the existing income limit is not aligned with the economic realities of the city. The LG further emphasized that the low threshold not only deprives vulnerable groups of educational opportunities but also contradicts the principle of equity, which is central to the RTE Act’s objective.
Saxena’s recommendation aligns with the observations made by the Delhi High Court, which noted in its December 5, 2023, ruling that the income limit should be adjusted to match the economic changes in society. The court also pointed out the need for parity between the EWS income limits for school admissions and those for higher education, where the threshold has already been set higher, at ₹8 lakh.
The Lieutenant Governor’s intervention stresses the urgency of revisiting the EWS income limit, which, in his view, is “unrealistically low” when compared to similar thresholds in higher education. He urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to take immediate action and increase the income cap to at least ₹5 lakh, ensuring that the vulnerable sections of society can access the benefits of the RTE Act.
This call for action is further underscored by the fact that the current income limit fails to reflect the financial condition of many families who are still struggling to afford quality education. Raising the limit would not only fill the vacant EWS seats but also ensure that children from economically weaker sections are not deprived of education due to outdated policy limits.
The implementation of this policy change could have significant implications for private school admissions in Delhi. With a higher income threshold, more children from economically disadvantaged families would be eligible for admission to private schools, leading to a more equitable educational environment. As Saxena pointed out, these changes would also align with the spirit of the RTE Act, which aims to ensure that all children, regardless of their socio-economic background, have access to quality education.
In conclusion, Saxena’s recommendation reflects a growing recognition that the economic realities of Delhi's residents have changed, and educational policies must adapt to ensure greater inclusivity and fairness. With the backing of the Delhi High Court’s observations and the increasing demand for educational equity, it remains to be seen how the Delhi government will respond to this call for policy reform.