Q.Read the following text carefully : To ensure inclusive and quality education for all, the Indian government has launched several important schemes. These schemes aimed at improving access, equity and learning outcomes, especially among disadvantaged group. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, passed by the India Parliament on August 4, 2009, guarantees free and compulsory education to every child between 6-14 years of age. It ensures that all children have access to education in neightbourhood schools, until they complete elementary education. Another key initiative is Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA). It was introduced in 2001. It is one of India’s flagship programmes for the Universalisation of Elementary Education. Digital India Campaign, launched on July 1, 2015, focuses on transforming India into a digitally empowered society by improving mobile and internet connectivity, particularly in rural and remote regions. This initiative supports digital learning & access to educational resources. Through these initiatives, the government strives to create an equitable, accessible & quality driven educational environment for all children, laying a strong foundation for national development. On the basis of the given text and common understanding, answer the following questions :

1. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 guarantees free and compulsory education to every child between 6–14 years of age. It enhances access by making it a legal right — every child must be admitted to a neighbourhood school until elementary education is completed, and no child can be denied admission for lack of fees. This removes financial and geographical barriers, especially for disadvantaged groups.
2. Increased public spending on education has contributed to India’s social and economic transformation in two key ways. Socially, it promotes equity by enabling children from poorer and marginalised communities to attend school, reducing illiteracy and social inequality. Economically, a more educated workforce raises labour productivity, attracts investment, and supports innovation — all of which drive l …

(i) The Law and Its Role in Enhancing Access

The law that guarantees free and compulsory education to every child until the age of 14 is the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. This Act was passed by the Indian Parliament on August 4, 2009, and it came into effect on April 1, 2010. It makes education a fundamental right for children in the 6–14 age group under Article 21A of the Constitution.

How does it enhance access? The RTE Act works on two key fronts. First, it removes the financial barrier by making education free — no child can be charged any fee, or be required to pay for textbooks, uniforms, or other expenses that might keep them out of school. Second, it removes the physical barrier by making education compulsory and mandating that every child has access to a neighbourhood school within a reasonable distance. This means the state is obligated to provide a school nearby, so a child does not have to travel far or face unsafe routes to get an education. Together, these provisions ensure that even the poorest and most marginalised children — those from disadvantaged groups, rural areas, or families with limited means — can walk into a classroom without cost or distance standing in their way.

(ii) How Increased Public Spending on Education Drives Social and Economic Transformation

Increased public spending on education is one of the most powerful levers a developing country like India can pull. It does not just build schools; it builds the foundation for long-term social and economic change. Here is how:

On the social front, higher spending improves equity and inclusion. When the government invests in schools in rural and remote areas, in scholarships for girls and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe children, and in mid-day meal programmes (which improve nutrition and attendance), it directly reduces the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged. Education empowers individuals — especially women — with knowledge, health awareness, and the confidence to participate in society. This leads to lower infant mortality, better family health, and greater civic engagement. Over time, a more educated population is also more likely to challenge social evils like child marriage, caste discrimination, and superstition. …