Delhi schools cannot deny admission for single parent name or lack of Aadhaar

Schools in Delhi are now barred from denying admission to children based on the declaration of a single parent’s name, if you look at an order issued by the Directorate of Education. This directive, announced by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on a Monday, aims to ensure that children, particularly those who have lost one or both parents to Covid-19, are not deprived of educational opportunities due to their family circumstances.

Concurrently, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has reiterated that schools across India cannot refuse admission to students for the lack of an Aadhaar number. The UIDAI has termed such denials as ‘invalid and not permitted under the law’, emphasizing that no child should be denied their due benefits or rights for want of Aadhaar.

New Delhi Admission Rule for Single Parents

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced the new rule for Delhi schools on a Monday, stating that no student in Delhi shall be denied admission on the grounds that the child is declaring the name of his or her single parent only. This order, issued by the Directorate of Education, addresses a critical concern for children from single-parent households, including those who have been orphaned or lost a parent due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The move is intended to provide relief and ensure educational continuity for vulnerable children. Sisodia conveyed this development via a tweet, highlighting the Delhi government’s commitment to inclusive education policies that accommodate diverse family structures and circumstances.

UIDAI Mandate on Aadhaar for School Admissions

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has issued a circular to Chief Secretaries of States, asserting that schools cannot refuse admission to students for lack of Aadhaar. The UIDAI stated that it is aware of instances where some schools are denying admission in the absence of an Aadhaar number, clarifying that such denials are ‘invalid and not permitted under the law’.

The circular mandates that it must be ensured no children are deprived or denied of their due benefits or rights for want of Aadhaar. In addition, the UIDAI has advised that until an Aadhaar number is assigned or biometrics are updated for such students, all facilities should be extended through alternate means of identification. This directive is expected to significantly ease the admission process for parents and students who have faced difficulties due to schools insisting on Aadhaar numbers.

Facilitating Aadhaar Enrolment in Schools

To address the issue of students lacking Aadhaar, the Unique Identification Authority of India has exhorted schools to actively coordinate with local banks, post offices, state education departments, and district administrations. The goal is to support special camps within school premises for Aadhaar enrolment and updation.

This proactive measure aims to ensure that students can obtain or update their Aadhaar numbers conveniently, without hindering their admission process. The UIDAI’s stance reinforces the principle that essential services, including education, should not be withheld due to administrative requirements like Aadhaar, especially when alternative identification methods are available.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

View all posts →

Further reading

• Delhi government schools still serving old PM-POSHAN menu; idli-sambar delayed since August
• Delhi government schools: revised PM-POSHAN menu, idli-sambar, not implemented
• Delhi government schools not serving idli-sambar despite August 24 deadline
• Delhi government schools miss idli-sambar deadline, old PM-POSHAN menu continues
• Delhi government schools yet to implement revised PM-POSHAN menu, idli-sambar unavailable