RTE Admissions: Government Extends School Distance Limit to 5 km After High Court Order

Pune, 19th March 2026: In a significant relief for parents, the state government has relaxed the distance rule for admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act in private unaided schools.

Earlier, parents could apply only to schools located within one kilometre of their residence for the 25% seats reserved under RTE. The restriction was challenged by the Aam Aadmi Party and the AAP Parents Union, which termed the rule illegal and demanded its removal through representations to the government and School Education Minister Dada Bhuse.

The matter was later taken to the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court through a public interest litigation. On March 9, the court stayed the one-kilometre limit and directed the government to provide options for schools located at greater distances.

Following the court’s order, the government has now allowed parents to apply to schools within a five-kilometre radius. Priority will be given to schools within one kilometre, followed by those located within three kilometres and then up to five kilometres from the applicant’s residence.

The court has also directed the government to make the necessary changes to the rules and restart the online admission process.

According to officials, the online system has been updated to incorporate these changes. Parents can now edit their applications or submit new ones until March 25.