Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan or SSA, is an Indian Government programme aimed at the universalisation of elementary education "in a time bound manner", as mandated by the 86th Amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory education to children between the ages of 6 to 14.
SSA has been operational since 2000-2001 was launched by then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. SSA was followed by
The Right to Education Act (RTE), which came into force on 1 April 2010. Some educationists and policy makers believe that, with the passing of this act, SSA has acquired the necessary legal force for its implementation.
