Pune: RTE 25% Quota Admissions Face Setback in Maharashtra Amid Fee Dispute, New Distance Rule
Pune, 14th February 2026: The admission process under the 25 per cent quota of the Right to Education (RTE) Act has run into fresh turbulence in Maharashtra, as several private unaided schools have reportedly declined to register for the 2026–27 academic year, citing pending fee reimbursements from the state government.
The situation has emerged at a crucial stage of the process, even as authorities implement a new rule restricting parents to selecting schools within a one-kilometre radius, a change that could further limit choices for families from economically weaker sections.
Under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, private unaided schools are mandated to reserve 25 per cent of entry-level seats for children from economically weaker and disadvantaged backgrounds. The state government is responsible for reimbursing the tuition fees for these students.
For the 2026–27 academic session, the school registration and verification process began on January 9. According to official figures, 8,653 schools have registered so far, collectively offering 1,12,751 seats across Maharashtra.
However, representatives of private institutions maintain that substantial reimbursement dues remain unpaid. Sanjay Tayade Patil, founder-president of the Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA), stated that several schools have chosen not to register until pending payments are cleared.
He further alleged that institutions that sought legal intervention received reimbursements, while others continue to face financial challenges. He indicated that schools may consider legal recourse if authorities initiate action against those who have not registered.
Addressing the concerns, Primary Education Director Sharad Gosavi said that registration under the RTE framework is mandatory for eligible schools. He added that instructions have been issued to ensure compliance and assured that the government would release the pending reimbursements.
Following the completion of school registration formalities, the student application process for admissions under the 25 per cent quota is scheduled to commence on January 17.
Meanwhile, the newly introduced one-kilometre distance criterion is expected to narrow the pool of schools parents can select, potentially intensifying competition for seats within designated neighbourhood zones.
With reimbursement disputes and regulatory changes unfolding simultaneously, uncertainty surrounds this year’s RTE admission cycle, raising concerns among parents, school managements, and education stakeholders across Maharashtra.
