Pune: An enquiry committee has been formed to investigate complaints of fraudulent admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act's 25% free seats quota. Sharad Gosavi, Director of Primary Education, stated that the committee will examine specific complaints and conduct a sample survey to identify any irregularities.
Nature of Complaints
According to a complaint from Khed taluka in Pune district, some seats were claimed by parents who do not belong to economically weaker sections or who provided false addresses. Under RTE, during the online admission process, preference is given to parents residing within a one-kilometer radius of the school, followed by three kilometers, and so on.
Gosavi explained, "A member of Khed Zilla Parishad raised the complaint with the ZP, which later reached us. He alleged that ineligible members applied and got their children admitted to free seats reserved for socially and economically disadvantaged children. We have formed a committee and sought all documents. The committee will visit the addresses and verify the submitted documents. Additionally, they will conduct a sample survey to rule out any wrongdoing by parents who have confirmed admissions in different schools."
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2026-27, a total of 2.89 lakh applications were received, out of which 1.05 lakh were selected. Over 79,000 students confirmed admissions in the first round, while more than 12,000 were selected from the first waiting list, followed by over 2,000 from the second waiting list. The admission process for the third waiting list is ongoing and will be completed on Friday.
Previous Case in Mulshi
Gosavi noted a similar case from last year in Mulshi, where 18 parents were found to have submitted false rent agreements to gain admission in schools within a one-kilometer radius. "An enquiry by the education department revealed that the parents did not live at the submitted addresses. It was a conspiracy between the parents and the house owners. The admissions were cancelled, and the Mulshi education extension officer filed an FIR against the parents and owners for submitting false data to claim reserved seats for weaker sections," said Gosavi.
Eligibility Rules
In Maharashtra, eligibility for RTE seats requires the child to belong to 'disadvantaged groups' or 'weaker sections'. Disadvantaged groups include scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes, orphans, migrant and street children, children with special needs, children of divorced women, and children of widows. Weaker sections are children from castes and communities not in disadvantaged categories, with parents or guardians having an annual income less than Rs 1 lakh.
Applications received: 2,89,286. For more updates, stay tuned to TOI.
