Karnataka bans tests or interviews for students and parents before admission

DSEL allows private schools to conduct admissions for 2025-26, warns against tests/interviews, mandates transparency, and prohibits capitation fees.

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), which has allowed private aided and unaided schools to conduct admission processes for students in April for 2025-26, has strictly prohibited holding tests or interviews for students and parents before admission.

The Commissioner of Public Instruction has warned in a circular that action will be taken against schools of all boards that violate the rules under Section 13 (2) (b) of the Right to Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act).

The circular states that schools that follow the Central Board Secondary Education (CBSE) or the Indian Certificate of Secondary of Education (ICSE) syllabus must conduct admissions as per the bye-laws/rules of their respective boards, but also abide by the directions/guidelines/circulars issued by the respective State governments, the department has warned.

“Despite the existing rules banning tests and interviews of parents and children for school admissions, many private schools are conducting them. Children who fail the test do not get admission. This is also a violation of children’s rights. The government should take strict action against such schools,” urged N.S. Shashidhar, a parent from Bengaluru.

The circular said the admission process in private pre-primary schools, primary and high schools should be open and transparent. The schedule for admission, seats available, class-wise allocation, and fee information should be published on the notice board, the circular said.

The circular further said that 50% seats should be mandatorily reserved for girls in all co-educational schools, irrespective of the boards they are affiliated with. The order states that if 50% of girls are not enrolled, the remaining seats should be given to boys as per the reservation rule.

On the issue of fees, it said that unaided schools are not allowed to charge capitation fees under the RTE Act 2009. “Therefore, school managements should publish the fee amount fixed in their schools for the information of the public on the notice board, Students Achievement Tracking System (SATS), school website and in the school prospectus.”