Maharashtra Govt-Run Hostels to Reserve 5% Seats for Students with Disabilities
Pune, 13th March 2025: The Social Justice and Special Assistance Department has directed all state and central government-run hostels in Maharashtra to set aside 5% of their total seats for students with disabilities. This decision, made under existing laws, is expected to benefit nearly 2,500 differently-abled students who have struggled to secure hostel accommodations despite advocacy from various welfare organizations.
A government resolution (GR) issued on March 10 outlined the policy, which applies to 443 government hostels across Maharashtra. These include 230 hostels for boys and 213 for girls, with a combined intake capacity of 43,858 students—23,208 boys and 20,650 girls.
As per the GR, the hostel admissions follow specific government guidelines, which are being reviewed to simplify and standardize the process. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Section 37(b) stipulates a 5% reservation will be allocated to students with disabilities. Additionally, a 1% reservation has been sanctioned for orphaned students.
The department has clarified that this 5% reservation falls under the category of social reservation and should not be misconstrued as an additional quota.
“This reservation is independent and cannot be transferred to other social categories. If eligible students are unavailable for the reserved quota, seats will be filled based on merit within the respective social category.”
The new reservation policy will be enforced starting from the academic year 2025-26, ensuring greater inclusivity and accessibility for students with disabilities in government hostels across Maharashtra.
