Overview
- The Nagpur bench on March 9 stayed clauses of the February 12 government resolution that confined RTE 25% quota applications to schools within one kilometre of a child’s home.
- The court directed authorities to modify the online admissions portal so choices align with the RTE Act and the law laid down in 2024.
- Statewide RTE applications stood at 1,83,093 as of March 9 versus 3,05,000 last year, with Mumbai at 6,927 against 13,166, reflecting a steep decline during the restricted-radius period.
- The government is set to present its arguments on Tuesday, and officials say the admission process will hinge on the court’s next order, with delays now likely.
- Petitions from Scheduled Tribe parents and a teachers’ association said the one‑kilometre rule shut out students where no eligible private unaided school exists nearby, as activists also cited unpaid reimbursements to private schools reported at over Rs 2,000 crore.