Regulation of educational institutes: SC issues notice to School Education Secretary on contempt plea
The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the School Education Secretary regarding a contempt plea for failing to regulate educational and religious institutions for children under 14. The petitioner argues for stricter oversight of all such institutions to ensure compliance with constitutional rights.
Why it matters
The case addresses the legal tension between religious freedom and the state's mandate to regulate education for children under the Right to Education Act.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) sought a response from the School Education Secretary in the Ministry of Education on a petition alleging non-compliance of its order to consider a plea seeking directions to regulate all institutions imparting education or religious instruction to children aged below 14.
A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu issued notice to T.K. Anil Kumar, Secretary (Department of School Education and Literacy), Ministry of Education, and sought his reply in four weeks.
The Supreme Court was hearing a contempt plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who alleged that the Secretary did not take any action on his representation.
On May 11, the Supreme Court had directed Mr. Upadhyay to make a representation before the Union of India with his plea.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in