High Court Rules CM SHRI Schools Entrance Test Compliant With RTE Act

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday upheld the validity of the CM SHRI Schools Admission Test 2025, dismissing a petition that challenged the entrance exam as an unlawful screening procedure under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. The bench, presided over by Justice Jyoti Singh, ruled that the test for admissions into Classes VI to VIII does not violate the provisions of the RTE Act, particularly Section 13, which prohibits screening for general admissions but exempts certain "specified category schools."

The petition was filed by 11-year-old Master Janmesh Sagar, represented by his father, who had appeared for the test on September 13, 2025, and was declared "failed" when results were announced on September 29. The petitioner argued that the Delhi government's circular dated July 23, 2025—outlining admission guidelines for the 2025-2026 academic session—contravened Article 21-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to free and compulsory education. Prior to approaching the High Court, the case had been filed as a writ petition under Article 32 in the Supreme Court, which disposed of it on November 17, 2025, granting liberty to seek relief from the High Court.

Representing the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of NCT of Delhi, counsel Sameer Vashisht contended that the issue was already settled by a 2012 Division Bench judgment in Social Jurist v. GNCTD, which upheld selection-based admissions for Class VI in Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalayas (RPVVs). He emphasized that CM SHRI Schools, like RPVVs, qualify as "specified category schools" under Section 2(n) of the RTE Act, thereby exempting them from the no-screening mandate for entry-level admissions.

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The court's decision reinforces the legal framework allowing merit-based entry into specialized public schools while ensuring compliance with RTE's core principles of equity and access. Justice Singh noted that the petition's arguments were "squarely covered" by the binding precedent, rendering it meritless and warranting dismissal without further adjudication.

CM SHRI Schools, launched as part of the Delhi government's initiative with a ₹100 crore allocation in the 2025-26 budget, represent 33 upgraded model institutions aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Centre's PM SHRI scheme. These schools aim to provide high-quality education in line with the National Curriculum Framework 2023, focusing on holistic development for underprivileged students. The upheld admission process ensures a balance between competitive selection and the RTE's 25% reservation for economically weaker sections in private unaided schools.

The ruling provides much-needed clarity for thousands of aspirants and parents awaiting admissions, stabilizing the process for the upcoming academic year and underscoring the judiciary's role in interpreting educational reforms. With the test's validity affirmed, the DoE can proceed confidently, potentially setting a precedent for similar initiatives across other states.

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