Β The Haryana Governmentβs CHEERAG Scheme for the 2026β27 Academic Session Opens Free Private School Admissions for Students from Classes 6 to 12 Whose Families Earn Less Than βΉ8 Lakh Annually, With Offline Applications Accepted From March 13 to March 30, 2026 and Lottery-Based Seat Allotment Scheduled for April 1β5, 2026β¦
Chirag Yojna 2026
Chirag Yojna 2026 officially known as the CHEERAG Scheme (Chief Minister Equal Education Relief, Assistance and Grant) is a Haryana government initiative that provides completely free admission to recognised private schools for students currently studying in government schools whose families cannot afford private education costs.
The Directorate of Elementary Education, Haryana, released the official notification for academic session 2026β27 in January 2026, announcing a significant expansion of the scheme through one landmark change: the annual family income eligibility ceiling has been raised from βΉ1.80 lakh to βΉ8 lakh per year, making approximately 32 lakh families in Haryana newly eligible for the benefit. The state government bears the complete tuition fee, admission charges, and all associated costs for every selected student families pay nothing.β
Big 2026 Update Income Limit Expanded to βΉ8 Lakh
The most consequential change to the Chirag Yojna for 2026 is the dramatic revision of the income ceiling. Previously, only families earning below βΉ1.80 lakh annually qualified a threshold so low that it excluded a large number of economically disadvantaged households from the schemeβs benefits.
The Haryana government revised this figure to βΉ8 lakh annual family income under the 2026β27 update, bringing millions of additional families under the schemeβs coverage. The Tribune of India confirmed this revision in its January 29, 2026 report, noting the governmentβs intent to widen equitable access to quality private school education.β
Who Can Apply: Full Eligibility Criteria
Not every student qualifies for the Chirag Yojna applicants must satisfy all of the following conditions:ββ
- The student must be a permanent resident of Haryana
- The student must currently study in a government school and must have passed the previous academic class from a government school
- The familyβs annual income must not exceed βΉ8 lakh as verified through the Family Identity Card (Parivaar Pehchan Patra β PPP)
- The student must seek admission in a private school within the same block or area where the family resides
- The student must fall within Classes 6 to 12 applications for Classes 1 to 5 at select schools depend on seat availability
A valid and updated Parivaar Pehchan Patra (PPP) number is mandatory for the application, and students without it cannot proceed with the form submission.β
Required Documents
Every applicant must submit the following documents along with the completed application form:ββ
- Aadhaar card of the student
- Income certificate showing family annual income below βΉ8 lakh
- Residence proof or Haryana domicile certificate
- Parivaar Pehchan Patra (PPP) β Family Identity Card number
- Previous class marksheet or Transfer Certificate (TC)
- Passport-size photograph of the student
- Mobile number for communication and lottery notification purposes
Application Process: How to Apply Step by Step
The application process for Chirag Yojna 2026β27 runs entirely offline there is no online submission portal:
- Visit the nearest participating private school β schools under the Chirag scheme post their available seat list on their notice board around March 10 each year
- Collect the application form from the school office or download it from the Haryana School Education Departmentβs official website at schooleducationharyana.gov.inβ
- Fill the form carefully β ensure name spelling, PPP number, income details, and class applied for match the supporting documents exactly
- Attach all required documents β incomplete forms face rejection at the submission stage
- Submit the completed form to the concerned private school or the Block Education Officer (BEO) office before the deadlineβ
Key Dates for Chirag Yojna 2026β27
Mark these dates carefully missing any stage disqualifies the application from the current academic cycle:ββ
| Stage | Date |
| Application Forms Available | March 13, 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Forms | March 30, 2026 |
| Lucky Draw / Lottery | April 1β5, 2026 |
| School Allotment and Admission | April 1β15, 2026 |
| Second List (If Seats Remain) | April 16β30, 2026 |
| Academic Session Begins | 2026β27 |
Lottery-Based Selection System
The Chirag Yojna does not select students based on academic merit or marks it uses a random lottery (Lucky Draw) system to ensure fair and unbiased allotment. Once the application window closes on March 30, 2026, the education department conducts the draw between April 1 and 5, 2026, and selected students receive notification via their registered mobile number.
If a private school has more applicants than available seats, the lottery determines who gains admission during the first round. Students not selected in the first draw may receive allotment during the second round held from April 16 to 30, 2026, provided seats remain unfilled.ββ
What the Scheme Covers: Zero Cost to the Family
The Haryana governmentβs reimbursement to private schools covers the complete per-student cost, meaning every eligible selected student receives the following at no expense:ββ
- Full tuition fees for the academic year
- Admission charges at the time of joining the school
- The student attends the same private school as fee-paying students, studying in the same classrooms and using the same facilities β no separate section exists for Chirag Yojna students
Reports suggest that the reimbursement rate paid to private schools follows a fixed per-student fee structure determined by the Haryana government, with the exact per-class reimbursement amount not publicly disclosed for the 2026β27 session.β
Replacing the Old Form 134-A System
The Chirag Yojna directly replaces Haryanaβs earlier Form 134-A admission system under Section 134-A of the Haryana School Education Act, which previously provided similar free admission rights to economically weaker students in private schools.
The government updated the framework under the CHEERAG scheme to make implementation more systematic, increase income eligibility, and ensure wider outreach across all districts of the state. Families who previously used Form 134-A now apply through the Chirag Yojna process using the updated form and revised eligibility rules.β
 is a Haryana government initiative){kind=link}