Maharashtra Government Reinstates 3km Radius for RTE Admissions in Private Schools
The Maharashtra state government has officially reversed its controversial decision to restrict admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) quota in private unaided schools to a mere 1-kilometer radius from a student's residence. This significant policy rollback effectively restores the earlier and more expansive 3-kilometer eligibility norm, providing greater choice and opportunity for economically disadvantaged families across the state.
Court Intervention Leads to Policy Reversal
This crucial reversal comes directly in the wake of a stay order issued by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. The court intervened on provisions that were introduced through a government resolution dated February 12, 2024. That resolution had drastically reduced the permissible distance for RTE quota admissions from the established 3km down to just 1km, a move that sparked immediate concern among parents and education advocates.
Under the landmark Right to Education Act, eligible private unaided schools are mandated to reserve 25% of their entry-level seats for children from economically weaker sections (EWS) and disadvantaged social groups. The government subsequently reimburses the fees for these students. Eligibility is specifically extended to children whose parents have an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh.
Educational Experts Welcome the Decision
Mahendra Ganpule, the former vice-president of the Maharashtra School Principals Association, strongly criticized the now-reversed 1km restriction. He stated that the rule had "unnecessarily and needlessly limited the scope of RTE admissions" across Maharashtra.
"It is a positive development that the high court ruled against this restrictive measure," Ganpule elaborated. "Parents naturally aspire to send their children to the most reputable and high-quality schools possible. They are often willing to accommodate reasonable travel distances to secure a better educational future for their child. The 1km rule artificially constrained these aspirations."
Revised Admission System and Application Update
With the restoration of the 3km radius, the state's revised admission system will now prioritize applicants based on proximity in the following order:
- Students residing within a 1km radius of the school.
- Applicants living within a 1 to 3km radius of the school.
- Students from beyond the 3km radius, subject strictly to the availability of remaining seats.
In a related and supportive administrative move, the Maharashtra government has also announced an extension of the application deadline for RTE quota admissions. The new deadline is now March 25, 2024, extended from the original date of March 18. This extension was granted due to reported delays in the initial opening of the online application portal, ensuring all eligible families have adequate time to apply.
The demand for these reserved seats remains high. State data indicates that approximately 2,24,000 applications have already been received under the RTE quota for the current admission cycle, highlighting the critical importance of this program for access to quality education.
