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Dinesh Biwaji Ashtikar v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.

Not available · 2026 INSC 56Decided 13 Jan 2026
Not available
Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha · Justice Atul S. Chandurkar

Background

A poor father's 2016 attempt to enrol his children under the RTE Act's 25% quota failed because he couldn't complete an online application; the High Court blamed him for not following "appropriate steps." By the time this reached the Supreme Court, his children had aged out.

Decision Breakdown

Though moot for this family, the Court used the case to fix a systemic problem, appointing an amicus who documented that online-only systems shut out poor families. It directed all states to frame binding statutory rules (not just advisory guidance) covering seat transparency, help-desks, and correction windows, with NCPCR monitoring compliance.

Lesson Learnt

A poor parent's failure to navigate an online portal should not defeat a child's statutory right to a free school seat: the burden is on government and schools to make the process accessible.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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