The Maharashtra School Education Department has officially opened the online application window on official website at student.maharashtra.gov.in/ for the 2026-27 academic year under the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Starting today, February 17 , parents from economically weaker and low-income backgrounds can apply for the 25% reserved seats in private unaided schools across the state.
The online application will be submitted till March 10, 2026, (can be extended further by the government) with the entire process being conducted digitally through the state’s dedicated student portal.
Revised Rules for 2026-27
This year’s admission cycle introduces two significant modifications aimed at tightening the selection process:
One-Kilometre Radius Limit: In a major shift from previous years, the permissible distance for school selection has been reduced. Parents can now only select up to 10 schools that fall within a 1 km radius of their verified residential address.
Mandatory Document Uploads: Unlike earlier documents were produced during the admission time, applicants must now scan and upload all required certificates at the time of submitting the online form.
Eligibility and Seat Distribution
The RTE quota is designed for children from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) defined as those with a family income below Rs 1 lakh per annum and Disadvantaged Groups (DG), including SC/ST, OBC, and Divyang (disabled) students.
In Mumbai alone, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) confirmed that 5,939 seats are available across 323 schools. Of these, 4,558 seats are in Maharashtra State Board schools, while 1,381 are in schools affiliated with other boards (CBSE/ICSE).
To avoid application rejection, a common issue in previous years, parents are advised to ensure all digital copies are under 200KB in JPG or PDF format. Mandatory documents include:
Required Documents
Birth Certificate: Name must match the application form exactly.Address Proof: Ration card, electricity bill (under 3 months old), or registered rent agreement.Income Certificate: Issued by a Tehsildar (required for EWS category).Aadhaar Card: Required for both the child and parents (Enrolment ID accepted for child).Caste Certificate: Necessary for DG category applicants.
Also Read | Mumbai RTE Admissions 2026: Online Applications Open from February 17; Check Eligibility, Seat Details.
How to Apply
The process is 100% online and free of charge. Applicants should follow these steps on the student.maharashtra.gov.in portal:
New Registration: Create an account using a mobile number and verify via OTP.
Child & Parent Info: Enter names exactly as they appear on the official birth certificate.
Google Map Location: Pin the exact doorstep of the residence. Distance is calculated automatically; minor errors can lead to disqualification.
School Selection: Choose the nearest schools in order of preference.
Submission: Review all details before clicking "Submit" and download the acknowledgement receipt.
Selection Process and Important Dates
Once the application window closes on March 10, the state will conduct a transparent, computerised lottery to allot seats. The results are expected to be announced in June, with admission confirmations following in July. Authorities have clarified that any child who has already benefited from the RTE quota in previous years is ineligible to reapply.