Archive · 25 Jul 2026
Maharashtra Accepts School Leaving Certificates for Minority Quota Admissions
The Maharashtra government has told schools and colleges not to ask for individual minority certificates from students who want to get admission under the minority quota.
Instead, they can use their School Leaving Certificate (SLC) or Transfer Certificate (TC) to show they belong to a minority community.
This change was made because some schools were not letting students in even though earlier rules said they didn't need these certificates.
The government also said that all minority communities like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, Jains, and Jews are still covered under the existing rules.
This will help many students get the admissions they deserve.
Maharashtra government bans individual minority certificates for quota admissions.
Schools and colleges must accept School Leaving Certificates (SLC) or Transfer Certificates (TC) as proof of minority status.
Other acceptable documents include certificates from religious organizations and sworn affidavits by parents.
The directive follows complaints from students and parents about institutions insisting on individual minority certificates.
All notified minority communities in Maharashtra continue to be covered under existing government resolutions.
- Who
- Maharashtra State Minority Development Department, Educational Institutions, Minority Students
- What
- Ban on individual minority certificates for quota admissions, acceptance of School Leaving Certificates (SLC) and Transfer Certificates (TC)
- When
- Circular issued on July 21, 2026
- Where
- Maharashtra, India
- Why
- To prevent eligible students from being denied admission under the minority quota due to the absence of individual minority certificates
Educational Institutions
Minority Development Department
Document Requirements
Educational Institutions
Insist on individual minority certificates for admissions under the minority quota.
Minority Development Department
Directs institutions not to insist on individual minority certificates and to accept alternative documents like School Leaving Certificates (SLC) or Transfer Certificates (TC).
- Date of Circular
- July 21, 2026
- Signed By
- Deputy Secretary Ananda Shestage
- Applicable Institutions
- Schools, higher educational institutions, technical, vocational, and medical colleges
- Acceptable Documents
- School Leaving Certificate (SLC), Transfer Certificate (TC), certificates from registered social or religious organisations, baptism certificates, Diksha certificates, sworn affidavit by parent or guardian
- Notified Minority Communities
- Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, Jains, Jews
- Government Resolution
- July 1, 2013
- Circular Date
- January 10, 2017