Abstract
Education is a fundamental human right, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, and reaffirmed by International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966, the Constitution of India and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. Despite these legal commitments, significant barriers continue to undermine the realization of this right, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to analyze the challenges faced by India’s education system in ensuring free and compulsory education, especially during the ongoing crisis. Drawing on recent reports such as the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2017, World Bank, and Oxfam India, the research explores the persistent gaps in educational quality, teacher preparedness, infrastructure, and resource allocation. The pandemic has exposed and deepened existing inequalities, exacerbating the digital divide, disrupting learning, and amplifying socio-economic disparities. The paper further evaluates the effectiveness of the RTE Act in adapting to these challenges, proposing actionable solutions to bridge the gap between policy and practice. The study underscores the need for inclusive, equitable, and innovative strategies to ensure that every child —regardless of their background or location—can access quality education, even in times of crisis. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for addressing the immediate and long-term educational setbacks caused by the pandemic, aiming to strengthen the prospects of education in India’s diverse socio-economic landscape.