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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday declared that the 25 per cent admission procedure under the Right to Education (RTE) Act for the academic session 2026–27 will begin from Tuesday. The online registration drive is intended for children belonging to economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups who wish to secure admission in self-financed and unaided schools, excluding minority institutions. As mandated by the RTE Act, students selected through this quota will be entitled to free schooling up to Class 8. The civic body’s education department confirmed that thousands of seats have been earmarked across Mumbai schools.As per official data shared by the education department, a total of 5,939 seats are being offered in 323 schools across the city. Among these, 4,558 seats are available in 252 institutions affiliated with the Maharashtra State Board. Additionally, 1,381 seats have been allocated in 71 schools linked to other educational boards. The admission exercise will include entry-level classes such as pre-primary and Class 1. Authorities have clarified that the initiative aims to ensure equitable access to quality education for children from marginalised backgrounds through a transparent online process.Also Read: Kolkata, Feb 16 (IANS) England captain Harry Brook admitted his side had yet to hit peak form despite securing qualification for the Super 8s with a hard-fought win over Italy in their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Group C clash at the Eden Gardens.Parents can submit applications online between February 17 and March 10, 2026, through the state’s official RTE portal. During registration, applicants must upload all necessary documents as specified in the guidelines. The system will display eligible schools situated within a one-kilometre radius of the child’s residence. Guardians are permitted to select a maximum of 10 schools while filling out the form and are advised to choose preferences carefully. Officials further stated that students who have already benefited from the 25 per cent RTE quota in earlier years will not be allowed to reapply.Once the application window closes, authorities will announce the schedule for the computerized lottery draw to allot seats. Parents have been instructed to keep original documents along with attested copies ready for verification at the time of admission. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has approved a significant welfare measure to distribute free school bags to students from Classes 1 to 8 studying in local authority schools across the state, reinforcing its commitment to supporting children from economically weaker sections.The decision to introduce the free school bag scheme follows the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which came into effect on April 1, 2010. The legislation guarantees free and compulsory education to children aged between 6 and 14 years. The new initiative is also aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, which focuses on fostering an engaging and inclusive learning atmosphere while equipping students with essential 21st-century skills and holistic development opportunities.Under the recently issued government resolution, administrative clearance has been granted to implement the scheme with a financial outlay capped at Rs 165 crore. The benefit is expected to reach 4,143,054 students enrolled in Classes 1 to 8 in schools managed by local self-government bodies throughout Maharashtra. However, students studying in municipal corporations that already operate independent free school bag programmes funded through their own budgets will not be covered under this state-sponsored initiative.

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