64.
The answer is: A
Explanation
The correct option is A: Six to fourteen years.
As per Article 21 A, which was inserted into the Constitution by the Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002, the state shall provide free and compulsory education to all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right. This means that every child has a right to full time elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in a formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standards. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, which represents the consequential legislation envisaged under Article 21-A, came into effect on 1 April 2010.
Some additional information that you may find useful are:
- The right to education was initially mentioned under Article 45 as a Directive Principle of State Policy, which directed the state to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they attain the age of 14 years within 10 years from the Constitution’s commencement. However, this directive was not implemented by the states and remained a non-justiciable right until the 86th Amendment made it a Fundamental Right under Article 21-A.
- The RTE Act specifies the duties and responsibilities of appropriate Governments, local authorities and parents in providing free and compulsory education, and sharing of financial and other responsibilities between the Central and State Governments. It also lays down the norms and standards relating to Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTRs), buildings and infrastructure, school-working days, teacher-working hours, etc. It also prohibits the deployment of teachers for non-educational work, other than decennial census, elections and disaster relief.
- The Supreme Court has upheld the validity of Article 21-A and the RTE Act in several cases, and has also interpreted the right to education as an integral part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. The court has also held that the right to education extends beyond the age of 14 years and covers higher and professional education as well. However, the court has also clarified that the right to education is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restrictions based on the availability of resources, public interest and national security.