Maharashtra Restores 3 km Rule for RTE Admissions, Extends Application Deadline to March 25

The Maharashtra government has reinstated the three kilometre neighbourhood criterion for admissions under the Right to Education Act, reversing an earlier relaxation that had allowed a wider pool of applicants. The decision comes amid a surge in applications and concerns over equitable access to nearby schools.

Officials said the application deadline has been extended to March 25 to accommodate the revised eligibility framework. The RTE quota, which mandates 25 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections in private schools, continues to attract significant demand, with over two lakh applications already submitted this year.

The restoration of the distance-based rule is intended to prioritise students residing in close proximity to schools, a principle embedded in the original design of the policy. However, the move has also triggered uncertainty among parents who had applied under the relaxed norms and may now find themselves ineligible.

Education department authorities have indicated that fresh guidelines and clarifications will be issued to ensure a smoother transition. Schools, meanwhile, have been advised to prepare for a possible reshuffling of applicant lists as the revised criteria come into effect.

The episode reflects the administrative challenges of balancing inclusivity with practical constraints in implementing the RTE framework, particularly in urban areas where demand often outstrips available seats.