Abstract

Education is an indispensable human right and a critical catalyst for socio-economic development and democratic governance. India’s legal framework has progressively elevated the importance of educational access, transitioning it from a policy aspiration to a legally enforceable guarantee underscoring the nation’s resolve to advance equal opportunity and social inclusion. This chapter critically examines the constitutional provisions, landmark judicial interpretations, and legislative frameworks most notably the “Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009” that collectively underpin India’s educational landscape. It further analyses prevailing policy initiatives, including the transformative “National Education Policy 2020”, and situates India’s domestic legal regime within international human rights commitments. The discussion highlights persistent challenges such as infrastructural deficits, social exclusion, and limited legal coverage, underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms. Ultimately, the chapter advocates for strengthened legal mandates, expanded age coverage, and inclusive implementation strategies to realize universal literacy as both a constitutional guarantee and a developmental imperative.

Keywords