Pune: Start RTE 25% Quota Admissions Immediately, Demands AAP Parents’ Union

Pune, 15th December 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party Parents’ Union has demanded that the state government immediately begin the admission process under the 25 per cent quota of the Right to Education (RTE) Act in private schools, citing growing uncertainty among parents from economically weaker and disadvantaged sections.

Under the RTE Act, 25 per cent of seats in private unaided schools are reserved for children from disadvantaged and weaker sections. Last academic year, the admission process had commenced on December 15. However, no official order has been issued so far for the current academic year, prompting the AAP Parents’ Union to submit a memorandum to the State Director of Education.

AAP leaders said admissions for CBSE and other boards usually begin in December and January. If the RTE admission process is delayed, parents are left confused as there is no guarantee of admission due to the lottery-based system. “If the RTE lottery is conducted early, parents who do not secure admission can explore other options in time. That is why the process needs to start in December,” the union said.

AAP representatives Mukund Kirdat, Shrikant Bhise, Prabhakar Tiwari and Hanumant Shinde met Director of Education Sharad Gosavi and Deputy Director Ramakant Kathmore to highlight the difficulties faced by parents. They pointed out that parents need adequate time to collect and upload documents such as Aadhaar cards and income certificates, which often involve technical delays.

Mukund Kirdat said nearly one lakh admissions are offered across Maharashtra every year under the RTE quota, while around three lakh parents apply. In Pune alone, about 19,000 seats are available, attracting more than 60,000 applications. “A large number of parents are anxiously waiting for the admission process to begin,” he said.

Kirdat also recalled that the government had attempted to change the RTE admission process two years ago, but the Supreme Court had objected to the move. “Therefore, no changes are expected in the existing system, and the process should begin without further delay,” he added.

The AAP Parents’ Union urged the education department to issue orders at the earliest to ensure a smooth and transparent admission process for the coming academic year.