Article 21A: Free and Compulsory Education Age

Article 21A of the Constitution of India addresses the fundamental right to education. It mandates that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children within a specific age group.

Mandated Age Range for Education

The specific age group mandated by Article 21A for free and compulsory education is six to fourteen years.

• This provision ensures that all children have access to basic education during their formative years.
• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, further elaborates on this constitutional mandate.

Analysis of Options

Based on Article 21A:

• Option 1 (below 18 years): This is too broad. While education is important for minors, Article 21A specifies a narrower range.
• Option 2 (18 years): This is incorrect as the mandate covers children, not adults up to 18 years in this specific context.
• Option 3 (four to sixteen years): This range differs from the constitutional provision.
• Option 4 (six to fourteen years): This correctly identifies the age group specified in Article 21A for free and compulsory education.

Therefore, the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years.