RTE: Miss Mohini Jain vs State of Karnataka.

The Mohini Jain Case is an important decision by the Supreme Court of India that changed how we understand the right to education in the country. Here's a simple explanation:

What Happened?

Mohini Jain was a student who wanted to study medicine in Karnataka. When she applied to a private medical college, they asked her to pay a huge amount of money as a capitation fee (which is like a donation or extra charge), on top of the regular tuition fees. This fee was so high that it was almost impossible for someone without a lot of money to afford it.

Why Was This a Problem?

Mohini felt that this was unfair because it meant only rich students could afford to get an education. She believed that education is something everyone should have a right to, not just those who can pay a lot of money.

What Did the Court Say?

The Supreme Court agreed with Mohini. They said that the **right to education is part of the right to life**, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of India. This means that everyone has the right to education, and the government must make sure that education is accessible to everyone, not just those who are rich.

The Court also said that charging such high fees (capitation fees) is **unconstitutional** because it discriminates against poorer students and violates the principle of equality. Education should not be something that is bought and sold; it is a basic right.

What Was the Outcome?

The decision made it clear that the government and educational institutions cannot charge such high fees that they make education unaffordable for ordinary people. This case was a big step in making education more accessible to everyone in India, regardless of their financial situation.

So, in simple terms, the Mohini Jain case ensured that education should be available to all and not just to those who can afford to pay a lot of money.