RTE 25% Admission Process Begins for 2026–27; First Phase Launched

Online Registration and Verification of Unaided Schools Commences in Thane

Thane, January 9 — The first phase of the 25 per cent admission process under the Right to Education (RTE) Act for the academic year 2026–27 has officially commenced from Friday, January 9, 2026, offering a crucial pathway for economically weaker and disadvantaged children to secure seats in private unaided and self-financed schools.

The initiative is being implemented under the supervision of the Thane Zilla Parishad, with the education department activating the online portal link for school registration and school verification as part of this initial stage of the admission process.

Officials have issued strict instructions to ensure accuracy and transparency during the school verification process. Schools that have been closed, granted minority status, found unauthorised, or relocated will not be included for RTE 25 per cent admissions for the 2026–27 academic year. Authorities have stressed that such exclusions are mandatory as per provisions of the RTE framework.

Additionally, schools have been directed to ensure that the education board selected during registration strictly matches the board to which the school is officially affiliated. Any incorrect, misleading, or false information submitted during registration will not be accepted, and responsibility will rest with the school management.

Education Officer (Primary), Balasaheb Rakse, instructed that all private unaided and self-financed schools must complete their online registration and verification between January 9 and January 19, 2026. He emphasised that adherence to the timeline is critical for the smooth progression of subsequent admission stages.

Guidelines related to this process have been formally communicated to education officers and administrative officers of all municipal corporations, as well as Block Education Officers of Panchayat Samitis. The administration has called for coordinated efforts across all agencies to ensure that the RTE admission process is completed accurately, transparently, and within the stipulated timeframe.

The RTE 25 per cent admission policy continues to serve as a vital social equity measure, aimed at providing quality education and equal opportunities to children from weaker sections of society. The education department has reiterated that school administrations must treat this responsibility with utmost seriousness and complete all required procedures within the prescribed deadlines.

The successful execution of this first phase is expected to lay the groundwork for a fair and inclusive admission process, reinforcing the state’s commitment to universal access to education.