Digital divide online application procedures cannot override substantive rte act admission entitlements

Excluding eligible children from the twenty-five percent quota under Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE Act due to non-compliance with online application procedures ignores widespread digital illiteracy and constitutes an impermissible barrier to accessing fundamental rights. Educational authorities and High Courts cannot deny admission or blame impoverished parents for failing to navigate complex online portals when physical availability of seats within the neighbourhood distance is demonstrated. Appropriate governments and local authorities are obligated to establish physical help-desks, Common Service Centres, and multi-lingual support to proactively assist disadvantaged families throughout the application and admission process. (Dinesh Biwaji Ashtikar v. State of Maharashtra & Ors. | 2026 INSC 56)