By team abhyaspeeth 
Abhyaspeeth Desk
Mumbai: In a welcome move for educational institutions and students across Maharashtra, the state government has officially withdrawn the earlier rule mandating that schools and their affiliated junior colleges must function from the same premises to avail the benefits of the ‘In-House’ quota. This decision, which comes just ahead of the 2025–26 admission season, is expected to simplify the centralized online admission process and reduce confusion among students and parents.
Previously, the ‘In-House’ quota allowed private junior colleges to reserve 10% of their seats for students from their own schools. However, to be eligible for this benefit, both the school and the junior college had to operate from the same location. This condition had sparked widespread criticism from school managements, teacher associations, and parents—especially in densely populated urban areas like Mumbai and Thane, where securing a common space for both institutions is practically unfeasible.
After months of representation and consistent follow-up by various stakeholders—including the Progressive Education Society and the Junior College Teachers’ Federation—the Education Department has finally revised its stance. The new guidelines now treat schools and junior colleges located in different locations but within the same district as a single unit, making them eligible for the ‘In-House’ quota.
This change is particularly significant for institutions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which includes Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburbs, and Thane. All institutions in these three zones will now be considered part of one combined unit, making it easier for students to secure admission to their affiliated junior colleges. In other parts of the state, the revenue district will be considered as the unit for this purpose.
Following a review meeting with education officials, the revised proposal was approved by Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse, paving the way for smoother implementation. Importantly, the earlier provision allowing 10% in-house reservation in private junior colleges for their own students will remain intact, ensuring continuity and fairness in the admission process.
The educational community has widely welcomed the change. Principals and management representatives have expressed satisfaction, noting that the earlier policy was creating unnecessary roadblocks. A principal from a junior college in Mumbai’s western suburbs remarked, “We had conveyed to the government that operating both school and college from a single location is not viable in cities like Mumbai. The government’s decision to revise the rule is both timely and thoughtful.”
With these new guidelines in place, the upcoming admission season is expected to proceed with greater clarity and reduced administrative burden. Both students and institutions are likely to benefit from the simplification of rules, ensuring that access to education remains smooth, transparent, and inclusive.
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