By team abhyaspeeth 
Abhyspeeth Education Desk
Mumbai : In a major development impacting the ongoing Class 11 admission process in Maharashtra, the Bombay High Court has granted an interim stay on the implementation of social reservation in minority colleges. The decision comes after the Maharashtra government refused to withdraw its previous directive to apply social reservation to seats in minority institutions.
The Division Bench of Justice Makrand Karnik and Justice Nitin Borkar, while hearing petitions filed by several minority educational institutions including prominent Mumbai-based colleges such as Jai Hind, K.C., H.R., and St. Xavier’s, ruled that the government’s May 6 order would not apply for now. The court emphasized that minority colleges are exempt from social reservations, a principle that the same court had previously reaffirmed.
The May 6 circular issued by the School Education Department sought to classify leftover seats—those not filled under minority or management quotas—in minority junior colleges under the social reservation framework. This move sparked legal opposition from institutions across the state, including the Maharashtra Minority Educational Institutions Association and colleges in Solapur and Mumbai, who approached the court questioning the legality and necessity of such a decision.
During the hearing, the High Court observed that the arguments submitted by the petitioners had legal merit and questioned the basis on which the government decided to enforce social reservation in minority institutions. It asked the government to respond within four weeks and also directed the state’s official Class 11 admission portal to reflect this interim order accordingly.
Government advocates Neha Bhide and Prachi Tatke, appearing on behalf of the state, informed the court that they had not received any instructions from the government regarding withdrawal of the order or the issuance of a clarification (corrigendum).
Admissions Update: Over 9,000 Students Admitted on Day 1
Despite the legal tussle, the first phase of admissions under in-house, management, and minority quotas began across the state on Thursday. According to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, 9,087 students secured admission on the first day itself. In total, 1,13,048 applications were received across Maharashtra for quota-based seats.
What’s Next?
The High Court’s interim relief means that until further notice, no social reservation can be applied to Class 11 seats in minority colleges. The final outcome will depend on the government’s reply to the court within the next four weeks. If the government fails to justify its decision, the court may rule in favor of the petitioners permanently.
This case is likely to become a benchmark for reservation policy implementation in minority institutions, and students and parents are advised to stay updated via official portals and educational advisories.