How to Apply for RTE Maharashtra Admissions: Dates, Eligibility & Process

Your Simple Guide to RTE Maharashtra School Admission for 2026-27

Hello, parents and guardians!

If you are looking for a way to get your child admitted to a good private school in Maharashtra without paying the school fees, the Right to Education (RTE) Act is for you. It can seem a little confusing at first, but don’t worry. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the RTE Maharashtra admission process for the 2026-27 academic year in the simplest way possible.

We will talk about who is eligible, the important dates to remember, and the step-by-step process to apply.

What is the RTE Act?

Let’s start with the basics. RTE stands for the Right to Education. It is a law by the Government of India that makes education a fundamental right for every child. Under this law, all private schools must reserve a certain percentage of their seats for children from economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. The best part? The government pays for the education of these children. This means if your child gets a seat through RTE, you won’t have to pay the school fees.

Who is Eligible for RTE Maharashtra Admission 2026-27?

To apply for a seat, you and your child need to meet some conditions. The main rules for eligibility are:

1. Age of the Child:
   • For Junior Kindergarten (Jr. KG) or Pre-Primary, your child should be 3 to 4 years old.
   • For First Standard (Class 1), your child should be 5 to 6 years old.
   • The exact age cut-off date (like 31st December) will be confirmed when the official notification is released.
2. Family Income:
   • The total income of your family from all sources should be less than Rs. 1 lakh per year. This is a key requirement.
3. Residency:
   • You must be a permanent resident of the state of Maharashtra. You will need to provide a valid domicile certificate.
4. Category:
   • The scheme is designed for children from specific categories. This includes:
     • Children from economically weaker families (income below Rs. 1 Lakh/annum).
     • Children belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
     • Orphans and children with special needs.
     • Children of migrant laborers or street vendors.

Important: Your child should not be already studying in any private school in the same class or a higher class. This is for first-time admissions.

Important Dates for RTE Maharashtra 2026-27

The official schedule for the 2026-27 session hasn’t been announced yet. The process usually starts in January or February every year. But based on previous years, you can expect the timeline to look something like this.

It’s very important to keep an eye on the official website for the exact dates once they are out.

*Please note: These are estimated dates for your reference. The actual dates for 2026-27 will be updated on the official RTE Maharashtra website.*

Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

The entire application process is done online. It’s designed to be simple and transparent. Here is how you can do it.

Step 1: Get Your Documents Ready

Before you start filling out the form, gather all the necessary papers. This will make the process much smoother. You will need:

• Child’s Birth Certificate
• Child’s Recent Passport-size Photograph
• Parent’s/Guardian’s Aadhaar Card
• Income Certificate (Proof that your family income is less than Rs. 1 Lakh/annum)
• Domicile Certificate (Proof of residence in Maharashtra)
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Bank Account Details (for fee reimbursement)

Step 2: Registration on the Official Website

• Go to the official RTE Maharashtra portal: https://rte25.rzp.maharashtra.gov.in/
• Look for the “New Registration” or “Parent Registration” link.
• You will need to enter details like your mobile number and email address. An OTP (One-Time Password) will be sent to verify them.
• Once verified, you will get a Registration ID and Password. Save this information carefully. You will need it to log in later.

Step 3: Filling the Online Application Form

• Log in using your new Registration ID and Password.
• Carefully fill in all the details about your child and yourself. This includes name, date of birth, address, category, and income.
• Be very accurate. Any wrong information can lead to the cancellation of your application.

Step 4: Uploading Documents

• You will see options to upload the scanned copies of the documents you gathered in Step 1.
• Make sure the files are clear and within the specified size limit. A blurry document can cause problems.

Step 5: Selecting School Preferences

• This is a very important step. The system will show you a list of participating private schools in your area.
• You will be allowed to choose multiple schools, usually up to five, in order of your preference. This means you list the school you want the most as your first choice, then the second most, and so on.
• Do some research on the schools in your locality before making your choice.

Step 6: Submitting the Application

• After reviewing all the information one last time, submit the form.
• You might get an application number or a confirmation slip. It’s a good idea to take a printout or save a screenshot of this for your records.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once the application window closes, the authorities will run a computerized lottery system to allot seats.

1. Lottery and Seat Allotment: The system randomly selects children for the available seats in the schools you chose. This is a fair process where everyone has an equal chance.
2. Checking the Result: You can check the result of the lottery on the same official RTE website using your login details.
3. Admission Confirmation: If your child is selected, you will get a message or notification. You must then visit the allotted school within the given deadline with all your original documents for verification. Once the school verifies the documents, they will confirm your child’s admission.

Important Things to Remember

• The application is completely free. Do not pay anyone to fill out the form.
• The official RTE Maharashtra website is your most reliable source for all information, updates, and announcements.
• If your child is not selected in the first round, don’t lose hope. There is often a second round for leftover seats.
• Keep your registered mobile number active, as all important communications will be sent there.

We hope this guide makes the RTE admission process clear for you. It’s a wonderful opportunity to provide a quality education for your child. Start gathering your documents early, and when the time comes, you’ll be ready to apply with confidence.