The Atal Residential School, established for the welfare of children of construction workers under the Uttar Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, will conduct its entrance examination for the academic session 2026–27 on February 22, 2026. The examination will be held for admissions to Class 6 and Class 9, offering quality, English-medium education under the CBSE curriculum to eligible students.
The announcement was made following a high-level meeting chaired by the Additional Labour Commissioner, Meerut, which was held on January 7, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The meeting focused on planning and coordination for the upcoming entrance examination and ensuring maximum outreach among eligible beneficiaries. The proceedings were conducted by Anurag Mishra, Deputy Labour Commissioner, Ghaziabad Region.
Focus on Welfare of Construction Workers’ Children
The Atal Residential School, located at Village Kod, Tehsil Sikandrabad, District Bulandshahr, is a flagship initiative aligned with the vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to provide equitable access to quality education for children from economically vulnerable backgrounds, particularly those belonging to construction worker families.
During the meeting, the Commissioner issued clear instructions to all concerned development officers to ensure 100 percent application coverage for eligible children of registered construction workers. Officials were directed to actively identify eligible families and facilitate timely submission of applications for both Classes 6 and 9.
“This institution represents a significant step towards breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty by providing high-quality residential education to the children of workers,” officials said, underlining the importance of widespread participation in the entrance examination.
Seats Available and Eligibility Criteria
As per official details, the entrance examination will be conducted for the selection of:
- 160 students for Class 6
- 65 students for Class 9
Children eligible to appear for the examination include:
- Wards of construction workers registered with the Uttar Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board on or before November 30, 2022
- Children belonging to the state-dependent category who were orphaned due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Children registered with the Department of Women and Child Development or eligible under the Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana
These provisions aim to ensure that the most vulnerable children receive priority access to residential schooling with comprehensive academic and co-curricular support.
Age Criteria and Reservation Policy
Strict age criteria have been defined for applicants:
- For Class 6, the child’s date of birth must be between May 1, 2014, and July 31, 2016
- For Class 9, the date of birth must fall between May 1, 2011, and July 31, 2013
Reservation benefits will be provided strictly as per prevailing government rules, ensuring inclusivity and compliance with statutory norms.
Application Deadline and Key Dates
The last date to apply for the Atal Residential School entrance examination is January 31, 2026. Authorities have urged parents, guardians, and local officials to ensure that applications are submitted well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues. The entrance examination is scheduled to be held uniformly across designated centres on February 22, 2026.
English-Medium CBSE Education: A State-Level Innovation
Highlighting the broader significance of the initiative, the Commissioner noted that the Atal Residential School system, operating under the CBSE Board with English as the medium of instruction, is an innovative state-level experiment aimed at empowering children of workers with competitive educational exposure. To ensure wide participation, district magistrates, chief development officers, labour department officials, and social organisations have been assigned responsibility for outreach and mobilisation. The administration has been asked to actively involve ration dealers, village heads (pradhans), councillors, and community leaders in spreading awareness about the examination.
Push for Extensive Publicity
Officials have also been directed to undertake extensive publicity through multiple media platforms, including local newspapers, digital media, community meetings, and grassroots networks, to ensure that no eligible child is left out due to lack of information. Education experts and social welfare advocates have welcomed the move, calling it a timely intervention to strengthen social mobility and educational equity in Uttar Pradesh. With the application deadline approaching, authorities have reiterated their appeal to eligible families to come forward and take advantage of this opportunity, which promises not just schooling, but a pathway to long-term empowerment.
Clear Cut Education Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Jan 09, 2026 01:00 IST
Written By: Nidhi Chandrikapure
