Ask the Constitution → Your rights, by who you are
Education appears in the Constitution as a fundamental right, a set of reservations, a minority guarantee, and even a parental duty. Here is the map.
Descriptive, not legal advice · text as amended through the 106th Amendment (2023)
Free and compulsory education for every child aged six to fourteen is a fundamental right, added by the 86th Amendment. The Right to Education Act is its enforcement.
Clauses (4) and (5) permit special provisions, including reservations in educational institutions, for socially and educationally backward classes, SCs and STs. This is the constitutional basis of admissions reservations.
Speech, association, and peaceful assembly belong to students too. Campus unions and student assemblies stand on 19(1)(a), (b) and (c), subject to the usual reasonable restrictions.
No religious instruction in institutions wholly maintained out of state funds, and no one can be forced to attend religious worship in state-recognized or state-aided institutions.
Clause (2): no citizen can be denied admission to a state-maintained or state-aided institution on grounds only of religion, race, caste, or language.
Religious and linguistic minorities have the right to establish and administer their own educational institutions.
The state must endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for children below six. A Directive Principle.
The state must promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and weaker sections with special care. Also a Directive Principle.
Clause (k): it is the duty of every parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to their child between six and fourteen.