In a decision which is likely to have far-ranging consequences in the field of education, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act). The RTE Act is applicable to children between the age of six and fourteen. The SC Bench in its judgment, which is prospective in nature, has mandated all government and private unaided schools to reserve 25 per cent of their seats for economically backward students.