To reduce the compliance burden on private managements that want to open, upgrade or get recognition for schools, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued G.O.Ms.No.49, School Education (P.S.) Department, dated 04.11.2026. It amends the AP Educational Institutions (Establishment, Recognition, Administration and Control of Schools under Private Managements) Rules, 1993. The changes are based on proposals of the Director of School Education, prepared on the recommendations of NITI Aayog's High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms and the advice of the Deregulation Cell of the Cabinet Secretariat. The amendments will be published as a notification in the AP Extraordinary Gazette.
| Order | G.O.Ms.No.49, School Education (P.S.), dated 04.11.2026 |
| Rules amended | 1993 Rules issued in G.O.Ms.No.1, Education, dated 01.01.1994 |
| New school / upgradation application | Form-I on the single window portal by 31 October of the preceding academic year |
| Late application | Up to 31 December with a late fee of Rs.50,000; not accepted after that |
| Decision | Within 3 months of receiving the application |
| Recognition application | Form-III online before 31 July of the year in which permission was granted |
Download / View G.O. PDF
Competent authorities
The definition of "Competent Authority" has been revised, with separate authorities for permission (Rule 3(a)) and for recognition (Rule 3(b)).
| Purpose | Schools | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Opening permission / upgradation | Pre-primary, primary, upper primary and secondary | Any person, officer or authority authorised by the Government by notification |
| Recognition / renewal | Pre-primary, primary, upper primary (including Oriental / Hindi / Sanskrit patasalas and special schools) | District Educational Officer, as notified by the Government |
| Recognition / renewal | Secondary schools | Regional Joint Director of School Education, as notified by the Government |
Changes in building and safety requirements (Rule 5)
- Rule 5(1) has been omitted.
- Fire safety: fire extinguishers and fire-fighting equipment approved by the State Fire Services Department are compulsory, as per the fire safety regulations in force.
- Sanitary certificate replaced by self-declaration: the management may declare compliance with the prescribed sanitary requirements instead of producing a certificate.
- Building safety: a structural soundness certificate and an occupancy certificate must be produced. All school buildings must comply with the AP Building Rules, 2017 and obtain approvals and the Structural Stability, Occupancy and Fire Safety Certificates from the competent authorities.
- Traffic police / Municipal / Gram Panchayat NOC replaced by self-declaration: the management may declare compliance with the requirements of these departments instead of producing an NOC.
Application, permission and recognition process
- Application (Rule 6(1)): apply for a new school or upgradation in Form-I through the single window online clearance portal on or before 31 October of the preceding academic year. Applications can be made up to 31 December with a late fee of Rs.50,000; applications after 31 December will not be accepted. Fees are to be paid online.
- Verification and decision (Rule 7(1)): the competent authority verifies the proposal and certificates through technology-based, risk-based inspection and communicates the decision within 3 months of receipt. A refusal order must state the reasons.
- Rule 8(2) has been omitted.
- Recognition (Rule 9(1)): after fulfilling the conditions in Rules 5 and 12, the educational agency applies for recognition in Form-III through the single window portal before 31 July of the year in which permission was granted.
New rule on child safety – Rule 10(33)
Every educational agency must set up, maintain and enforce a comprehensive safety and security framework to protect the physical, emotional and social well-being of all enrolled children during school hours, on school premises, in school-provided transport and during school-sponsored off-site events and activities.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is the last date to apply for a new private school?
A: 31 October of the preceding academic year. With a late fee of Rs.50,000, applications are accepted up to 31 December.
Q: Is a sanitary certificate or traffic / municipal NOC still needed?
A: The management may give a self-declaration instead. If it is found false, a penalty of Rs.1–2 lakh applies.
Q: Are fire safety and building certificates relaxed?
A: No. Fire-fighting equipment and the Structural Stability, Occupancy and Fire Safety Certificates remain mandatory.
Q: Who grants recognition to primary schools?
A: The District Educational Officer, as notified by the Government. For secondary schools, it is the RJDSE.
Official links
- G.O.Ms.No.49, dated 04.11.2026 – PDF copy
- AP Government Orders – goir.ap.gov.in (School Education Dept, G.O.Ms.No.49, 04.11.2026)
- Commissionerate of School Education, AP
