India makes education a fundamental right from April 1

India has made education a fundamental right for all children aged 6 to 14, effective from April 1, 2010, under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The Act, which came into force on that date, is expected to benefit an estimated one crore children who currently do not attend school.

With this law, India joins a small group of countries that have a statutory provision making education a fundamental right. The Hindu reports that the enforcement of the Act represents a momentous step forward in India's 100-year struggle for universalising elementary education.

The law mandates free and compulsory education for all children in the specified age group, aiming to ensure access to schooling for every child regardless of economic background.