Maharashtra RTE Admission 2026: Bombay HC Stays On 1-km Distance Restriction Rule

The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Monday, March 9, stayed the one-kilometre distance restrictions imposed by the Devendra Fadnavi-led Maharashtra government for school admission under the Right to Education (RTE) quota. The upper court said that the condition appears inconsistent with the statutory scheme of the law.

The notice was issued by the division bench of Justices Anil Pansare and Nivedita Mehta and sought an urgent reply from the state government after PILs filed challenged the rule introduced through a government resolution issued on February 12, 2026. The matter will be heard on March 10.

Also Read | Maharashtra RTE Admissions 2026: BMC Announces Online Applications Open from February 17 in Mumbai; Check Eligibility, Seat Details.

The state government has introduced a new rule for the academic year 2026 stating that applicants could apply for the 25% RTE quota in private schools present only within a one-kilometre radius from their residence address. 

Under the RTE Act, 2005, 25% seats in private unaided schools are reserved for children from the low-income group, socio-economically backward classes. The schools are paid a reimbursement by the government for the same.