3 Despite a reported utilisation rate of 88.6 per cent under the Right to Education (RTE) framework, as many as 6,352 seats reserved for economically weaker sections remain unfilled across Chhattisgarh, indicating persistent gaps in implementation at the ground level, as per official data accessed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from the Directorate of Public Instructions (DPI). Sanjay Thul, an RTI activist from Samay Nagar, Nagpur, filed an application on January 6 seeking data about RTE seat reservations, filled positions and vacancies across all schools in Chhattisgarh. According to Thul, the complete information was not provided in the initial RTI response and was furnished only after filing a first appeal. The response, digitally signed by Deputy Director Mahesh Kumar Nayak on January 16, provides district-wise breakdown showing significant variations in seat utilization across 33 districts. According to the official data for academic year 2025-26, the state has 53,458 RTE seats with 47,359 filled, leaving 6,352 vacant. The vacancy rate of 11.9% indicates gaps between seat availability and actual admissions under the scheme. District-wise analysis shows marked disparities in utilization patterns.

 

Durg district records highest vacancies with 750 unfilled seats from 4,287 reserved, translating to 17.5% vacancy rate. Bilaspur follows with 592 vacant seats despite having 5,200 reserved positions. Surguja shows 584 vacancies against 2,415 seats, indicating 24.2% vacancy rate. In contrast, two districts achieved complete seat utilization. Rajnandgaon filled all 1,288 reserved seats with zero vacancies. Similarly, Durg-Dalli-Rajhara filled all 871 seats completely. These figures demonstrate varying implementation outcomes across different administrative units. The data reveals that larger districts do not necessarily correlate with better utilization rates. Raipur, the capital city with 5,198 seats, maintains 511 vacancies representing 9.8% wastage. Bilaspur with 5,200 seats shows 11.4% vacancy. Smaller districts show mixed results, with some achieving full utilisation while others record higher vacancy percentages. District-level data reflects distinct geographic and demographic contrasts in seat utilisation. Tribal-dominated regions present uneven outcomes, with Surguja recording 24.2% vacancies, while Bastar shows a higher 26.4% with 206 seats lying vacant out of 777. Narayanpur, in comparison, accounts for 13 unfilled seats out of 130, translating into a 10% vacancy rate. Urban districts reflect a different utilisation pattern. Raipur reports 9.8% vacancies, while Bilaspur stands at 11.4%.

 

Durg, despite being a major industrial hub, records a significantly higher vacancy rate of 17.5%, surpassing several rural districts in terms of unutilised seats. Seat allocation also remains concentrated in select districts. Bilaspur has the highest share with 5,200 seats, followed closely by Raipur with 5,198 and Janjgir-Champa with 4,521. On the other end, districts such as Narayanpur with 130 seats, Sukma with 154 and Dantewada with 168 have comparatively limited allocations. The official response followed reference to earlier correspondence dated September 12, 2025, and was issued under letter number 470/A/RTI/2025/20-3/1659/A. The applicant had initially approached the department seeking information under provisions of RTI Act 2005 regarding RTE seat data. According to the tabulated data provided, mid-sized districts show varied performance. Koriya records 19 vacancies from 595 seats (3.2% vacancy). Mahasamund shows 63 vacancies from 1,671 seats (3.8% vacancy). Sakti records 151 vacancies from 1,742 seats (8.7% vacancy). The response was issued by the Public Information Officer, Directorate of Public Instructions (DPI), located at Indravati Bhavan, Atal Nagar, Naya Raipur. Districts recording vacancies above 300 include Durg (750), Bilaspur (592), Surguja (584), Jashpur (391), Bastar (206), Balod (170), and Garela-Pendra-Marwahi (170). Districts with vacancies below 100 include multiple smaller administrative units. The RTI application, filed from Maharashtra, highlights the reach of transparency provisions in enabling access to official data across states. “The information provides a factual baseline for assessing RTE implementation across Chhattisgarh’s diverse geographic and demographic landscape during the current academic year,” RTI activist Sanjay Thul told The Hitavada over phone.