Poddar International School Tops Preference List as RTE Lottery Announced in Pune

The lottery for RTE admissions has been declared in Pune, with Poddar International School receiving the highest number of applications for limited reserved seats under the 25% quota.

Pune | April 1, 2026: The draw of lots for admissions under the Right to Education (RTE) Act was conducted in Pune, revealing overwhelming demand for Poddar International School in Bibwewadi, which emerged as the most preferred institution among applicants this year.

According to officials, the school received 2,094 applications for just 69 seats reserved under the 25% RTE quota, highlighting intense competition among parents seeking quality education in private institutions through the scheme.

The lottery process was conducted at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) auditorium in the presence of senior officials, including Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh. Other dignitaries present included Primary Education Director Sharad Gosavi, senior education officials, and representatives from the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Students from a municipal school participated in drawing the lottery, ensuring transparency in the process.

Statewide, a total of 1,14,826 seats across 8,701 schools have been made available under the RTE quota this year. Against this, as many as 2,89,609 applications were received, reflecting a significant demand for admissions under the scheme. Officials noted that last year saw over 88,000 admissions through RTE, indicating sustained interest among parents.

Following the lottery, authorities will release the list of selected candidates and waiting lists within the next two days. The admission process for selected students is expected to begin shortly thereafter.

Officials also addressed concerns regarding irregularities reported in previous years. Measures have been put in place to prevent misuse of the system, including action against parents who submit false information during the application process. Authorities cautioned parents against falling prey to agents or middlemen promising guaranteed admissions.

The entire RTE admission process is conducted online, with no manual intervention, ensuring fairness and transparency. A dedicated helpline has also been provided for parents to report any discrepancies or malpractices.

The strong response to schools like Poddar International underscores the continued preference for reputed private institutions under the RTE framework. At the same time, the high number of applications relative to available seats highlights the need for expanding access to quality education across the public and private sectors.

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