The Rajya Sabha, Govt. of India on March 13, 2026, issued the Free Education (Secondary to Undergraduate Level) Bill, 2026.
The following has been stated:
• The Bill seeks to extend the right to free education in India from Class IX up to the completion of an undergraduate degree. It aims to promote equality in access to education and remove financial and social barriers that prevent students from continuing education after the elementary level.
• The Bill provides that every eligible citizen who has completed Class VIII has the right to free secondary education (Class IX–XII) in a recognised neighbourhood educational institution. Similarly, students who have completed Class XII will have the right to pursue one free undergraduate degree in a recognised university or higher educational institution. No student can be denied admission on grounds such as caste, religion, gender, disability, language, socio-economic background, migration status, or place of birth.
• The Bill places responsibilities on the Central and State Governments to ensure the effective implementation of this right. Governments must establish adequate educational institutions, appoint qualified teachers, maintain proper pupil-teacher ratios, and provide learning materials, digital resources, and facilities for persons with disabilities.
• To support implementation, the Bill proposes the creation of a National Fund for Universal Secondary and Higher Education, financed jointly by the Central and State Governments. The fund will be used to cover the expenditure required for providing free education and expanding educational infrastructure.
• The Bill also prohibits educational institutions from charging capitation fees or any other unauthorized charges, ensuring that education remains genuinely free. Additionally, institutions cannot use discriminatory screening procedures that violate constitutional principles.
[Bill No. XXXIII of 2026]
