LUCKNOW, Feb. 17 -- More than a quarter million families from poor and deprived sections across Uttar Pradesh have rushed to secure free seats for their children in private schools, pushing RTE applications to a near-record high in the very first phase of admissions for 2026-27.

The basic education department received 2,61,501 applications in round one this year, against 1,32,446 in the same phase last year, according to state government data.

Last year, over 1.06 lakh children from poor and deprived families were enrolled in private schools under the Right to Education (RTE) Act against a total allotment of 1.85 lakh seats.

Citing reasons for the surge in RTE applications, Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, additional chief secretary, basic an...