Maharashtra Restores 3km RTE Admission Rule, Deadline Extended to March 25

Mumbai: In a significant decision bringing relief to thousands of parents, the Government of Maharashtra has restored the 3-kilometre eligibility rule for admissions under the Right to Education Act (RTE) in private unaided schools.

The move comes after the Bombay High Court stayed key provisions of a government resolution issued on February 12, which had reduced the permissible distance for RTE admissions from 3km to 1km. Following the court’s intervention, parents can now once again apply to schools within a 3km radius of their residence.

The earlier decision had sparked concern among parents and education experts, who argued that restricting the distance to 1km significantly limited school choices, especially in urban areas where access to reputed institutions often requires travelling longer distances.

Under the provisions of the RTE Act, private unaided schools are required to reserve 25% of entry-level seats for children from economically weaker and disadvantaged sections. The government reimburses the fees for these students. Families with an annual income below ₹1 lakh are eligible under the economically weaker section category

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Education expert Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president of the Maharashtra School Principals Association, welcomed the rollback. He stated that the 1km restriction had unnecessarily narrowed the scope of admissions and that parents should have the freedom to choose better schools for their children.

As per the revised admission process, priority will be given based on proximity. Students residing within 1km of a school will be given first preference, followed by those living within a 1–3km radius. Applicants from beyond 3km will be considered only if seats remain vacant.

Officials also revealed that around 2.24 lakh applications have already been received under the RTE quota across Maharashtra, highlighting the high demand for quality education among underprivileged sections.

In a related development, the state government has extended the deadline for submitting RTE applications from March 18 to March 25, citing delays in the launch of the online application portal. The extension is expected to provide additional time for eligible parents to complete the application process.

The decision is being seen as a positive step towards ensuring wider access to quality education and upholding the core objective of the RTE Act — inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for all children.