Maharashtra Regulates Private Preschools for Better Quality Education

The state government of Maharashtra, India, is taking steps to regulate private preschools in the region. The goal is to ensure better quality education and accountability in early childhood institutions. According to reports, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse informed the state assembly that the move aims to bring uniform standards and greater accountability to the rapidly growing preschool sector.

To achieve this, the government has made registration mandatory for all private institutions offering pre-primary education. A circular was issued on April 24, 2025, requiring private schools to register on the Preschool Registration Portal. So far, around 12,733 centers have responded to the directive. The government is urging remaining institutions to complete the process as soon as possible.

The proposed legislation will focus on mandatory registration, institutional regulation, and quality assurance. A competent authority will be appointed to oversee the registration and regulation of preschools. All schools will need to register through the online portal, with their registration renewed every three years.

In addition to registration, the government is also working on guidelines to enhance the quality of preschool education. These guidelines include a student-to-teacher ratio of 20:1, child-based curriculum, and availability of toys and learning tools that enable early learning. The proposed framework will also prioritize child-friendly infrastructure and safety.

One significant change is the elimination of written or oral entrance exams for young children. Instead, a comprehensive evaluation of a child’s development will be possible based on the proposed regulatory framework. The draft proposal has been sent to the Law and Judiciary Department for legal scrutiny, with the goal of finalizing the legislation before the upcoming academic year.

Overall, the government aims to introduce clearer rules and accountability in Maharashtra’s private preschool ecosystem, ensuring better quality education for young children.