IS EDUCATION A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE IN PRACTICE

This paper examines whether the constitutional promise of education as a fundamental right in India has translated into meaningful and equitable access in practice. More than seventy-seven years after the Constitution came into force, education in India continues to reflect both progress and persistent inequality. While Article 21A firmly establishes education as a fundamental right, disparities in quality, infrastructure, and accessibility raise important concerns about its realization on the ground. This paper explores the gap between constitutional vision and practical implementation, questioning whether India has truly transformed education into a universal right or whether it remains, in many ways, an aspirational ideal.