Maharashtra: Junior Colleges Face Rs 5,000 Fine Per Student for Illegal Offline Admissions; Principals Risk Disciplinary Action

Pune, 30th October 2026: The Maharashtra School Education Department has ordered strict action against junior colleges that granted unauthorised offline admissions to Class 11 students during the 2025–26 academic year, bypassing the state’s centralised online admission process. While thousands of affected students have been given relief and permitted to appear for their Class 12 examinations, the institutions responsible will face financial penalties and disciplinary action.

As per the order issued by Dr Mahesh Palkar, Director of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, colleges found guilty of granting unauthorised admissions will have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000 for every student admitted through the offline process. The amount will have to be recovered from the college management, and collecting it from students has been strictly prohibited.

The issue came to light after several junior colleges allegedly bypassed the centralised online admission process and admitted students directly to Class 11. With the process of filling out Class 12 examination forms underway, uncertainty arose over the academic future of thousands of students.

To prevent students from suffering because of the institutions’ violations, the Education Department has allowed them to appear for the Class 12 examinations. However, such students will be allotted examination centres at other colleges instead of their respective institutions.

The department has also directed officials to obtain written explanations from the concerned school and college managements. Authorities have been instructed to verify students’ regular attendance, classroom facilities, physical infrastructure and compliance with Right to Education (RTE) norms.

The Directorate has directed officials to complete action in all such cases and submit a report within seven days. It has warned that failure to implement the orders could invite action against the concerned officials.

Principals May Face Demotion, Salary Increment Cuts*

The department has also fixed responsibility on headmasters and principals who authorised admissions in violation of government rules. Under the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1981, the managements have been directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings against those found responsible.

Possible action includes withholding salary increments and demotion. If the managements fail to act after conducting an inquiry, the findings must be submitted to the Directorate under Section 4A(1) of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act, 1977.

Warning Against Repeat Violations

The Education Department has also warned junior colleges against repeating such violations during the 2026–27 academic year, stating that institutions found granting unauthorised offline admissions again will face serious action.

The move aims to enforce the centralised admission system while ensuring that students who were admitted through irregular procedures do not lose an academic year because of violations committed by educational institutions.