SC/ST Category RTE Gujarat 2025 – Rules, Income Limit & How to Apply

Big Update for SC/ST Families (March 13, 2025)

On 13 March 2025, the Gujarat Education Department made a major update for Gujarat RTE 2025 applicants. The annual family income limit has been raised to ₹6,00,000, benefiting families in both rural and urban areas. This increase means more free seats are now open in private unaided schools, especially for SC/ST admission. The response has been overwhelming, with over 2.37 lakh applications received so far. Don’t miss this crucial chance to secure a private school seat under the RTE scheme!

At a Glance – Key Points

• New Income Limit (All Areas): ₹6,00,000 per year
• Seats Reserved Under RTE: 25% in private unaided schools
• Total Seats This Year: 93,527+
• Application Period: 28 Feb 2025 – 15 April 2025 (extended)
• Official Portal: rte.orpgujarat.com

Table of Contents

1. New Income Rule Explained
2. Who Can Apply – Full Eligibility
3. Documents Required (Checklist)
4. How to Prove ₹6 Lakh Income
5. Step-by-Step Online Application Process
6. Important Dates (2025–26)
7. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
8. FAQs & Helpline
9. Final Checklist and Next Steps

1. New Income Rule for SC/ST (March 2025)

In March 2025, the Gujarat Government made a big change by replacing the old income limits of ₹1.2 lakh for rural and ₹1.5 lakh for urban families with a single ₹6 lakh annual income limit. This new limit applies to SC/ST, SEBC, and general categories under the Gujarat RTE 2025 rules. The aim is to help more families from weaker sections get access to free education. After this update, applications increased by 20%, adding 44,994 more forms. Education Minister Praful Pansheriya said this move gives relief to parents whose earlier applications were rejected due to income. Now, families earning up to ₹6 lakh can apply for free Class 1 seats in private schools. This change was officially announced in an Education Department letter dated 13 March 2025.

2. Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)

To apply on the Gujarat RTE portal, the child and family must meet all the following criteria:

• The child must have a valid SC or ST certificate issued by a Talati or Mamlatdar.

• The family’s total income for FY 2024–25 must be under ₹6,00,000 from all sources combined.

• The child’s age should be between 5 years 6 months and 6 years as of 1 June 2025 (for Class 1). Check the official portal for the exact date of birth cutoffs.

• Both the child and parents must be permanent residents of Gujarat, with valid domicile proof.

• The child should not have taken admission under the RTE scheme before.

• Children enrolled in government Anganwadi centres get extra priority (Category 9).

These rules follow the RTE Act 2009, Section 12(1)(c). For SC/ST families, there is no creamy layer cutoff — only the income limit applies.

This clear and concise format helps parents quickly understand the requirements to secure Gujarat RTE 2025 admission and access reserved private school seats for SC/ST children with income limits.

3. Documents Required (Upload-Ready Checklist)

Scan clear copies of these – keep each file 500 KB or less for easy upload:

• SC/ST certificate (latest, from Mamlatdar office)
• Income certificate for FY 2024–25 (from Talati) or signed Self-Declaration (if no ITR filed)
• Aadhaar card – child plus both parents (or guardians)
• Ration card (for family details)
• Birth certificate or School Leaving Certificate
• Proof of Gujarat residence (electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.)
• Anganwadi certificate (if applying under Category 9, with ICDS worker’s signature)

All scans must be sharp (300 DPI recommended). Use JPEG or PDF format. The portal checks for clarity during upload.

4. How to Prove ₹6 Lakh Income

The strongest proof is an Income Certificate for FY 2024–25 from your local Talati or Mamlatdar office. It speeds up district-level verification.

Other options:

5. Self-Declaration form (free download from RTE portal) – sign it if you don’t file ITR or lack a PAN. This meets government guidelines.

5. Extra support, like 3-6 months’ salary slips or bank statements (for private jobs), but they can’t replace the official certificate.

Get it from the Mamlatdar for SC/ST cases – it’s the most trusted. Wrong or old proofs lead to 30% rejections. Update if your income has changed recently.

5. Step-by-Step Online Application (Quick Guide)

Applying on rte.orpgujarat.com is easy and quick. Prepare all your documents first. The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes.

1. Visit rte.orpgujarat.com and click on “Online Application.”
2. Register using your active mobile number and email. Complete OTP verification.
3. Fill in details for the child and parents. For SC/ST admission, select Category 11.
4. Upload scanned copies of all required documents. Double-check each one for clarity and errors.
5. Choose up to 10 private schools in your preferred order. Select nearby schools with good ratings from the portal list.
6. Preview the complete application form carefully before submitting.
7. Submit the form. Save your application number and print the confirmation page. Take screenshots for your record.
8. You will receive an SMS alert once your application is successfully submitted.

If your internet connection is slow, consider using a cyber café for smoother submission. If your application is rejected, you can fix and resubmit it during the correction window from 21 to 23 April.

This simple guide helps parents apply easily for Gujarat RTE 2025 SC/ST admission and secure private school seats within the new income limit.

6. Important Dates (2025–26)

The last date extension to 15 April came after the income limit change to ₹6,00,000. A total of 93,527 private school seats are reserved, with priority given to SC/ST applicants under Gujarat RTE 2025. Always verify these dates on the official portal, as they may change

7. Seven Common Mistakes Parents Make and How to Avoid Them.

These slip-ups cause most rejections – spot them early:

1. Using an old income certificate – Always get one for FY 2024–25 from Talati.
2. Selecting the wrong category – Double-check SC/ST (Category 11) in the form.
3. Choosing more than 10 schools – Portal caps at 10; stick to it.
4. Uploading blurry or large files – Scan fresh at 300 DPI and compress under 500 KB.
5. Wrong DOB calculation – Use 1 June 2025 as the age cutoff; calculate precisely.
6. Submitting duplicate forms – One per child only; track with application number.
7. Forgetting self-declaration (if no ITR) – Download and sign from the portal if needed.

Practice with a mock form on the site to avoid a 40% failure rate.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (Short)

Q: Does the creamy layer apply to SC/ST under RTE?

A: No – creamy layer does not count for SC/ST in RTE. Only the income limit matters.

Q: Who issues the income certificate?

A: Talati for basics; Mamlatdar verifies for SC/ST cases.

Q: Is there an offline form?

A: No – all applications are online only via rte.orpgujarat.com.

Q: How many schools can I select?

A: Up to 10, in priority order.

Q: Where will lottery results be published?

A: On rte.orpgujarat.com – watch for SMS too.

Q: What if my form is rejected?

A: Re-upload fixed documents in the 21–23 April 2025 window; follow portal steps.

Helpline: 9978272526 – call for quick help.

9. Final Checklist – Before You Submit

Tick these off to stay safe:

• Income certificate (FY 2024–25) or signed self-declaration
• SC/ST certificate (clear scan)
• Aadhaar cards – child + parents
• Birth certificate or school leaving certificate
• Proof of Gujarat residence
• Up to 10 nearby schools selected in order
• Application number saved & printout ready

Always verify all updates on the official portal: rte.orpgujarat.com

Final Step for You

Bookmark rte.orpgujarat.com now for quick access. To stay updated on any last-minute changes, join a WhatsApp or Telegram group dedicated to RTE Gujarat alerts. It’s best to submit your application early, before the deadline of 15 April, to avoid a last-minute rush. Your child’s chance for a seat in a top private school could be just a form away. If you have questions or need assistance, drop a comment below — help is nearby, and we’ll get back to you fast.

Always double-check the official portal for the latest updates, as policies or dates may shift. Ensure your documents are ready and correctly uploaded to avoid rejection. Good luck with your application!

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