Previous Year Question

The Right to Education is a Fundamental Right under Article 21A of the Constitution of India. Article 21A requires the State to provide free and compulsory education to all children between six and fourteen years of age in such manner as the State may determine by law.

Article 21A was inserted into the Constitution by the Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002. According to the amendment note in the official text of the Constitution, the provision came into force on 1 April 2010.

It is important to distinguish Article 21A from Articles 29 and 30. Articles 29 and 30 deal with Cultural and Educational Rights, including conservation of language, script and culture and the rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. The Fundamental Right to free and compulsory education for children, however, is specifically provided under Article 21A.