51 Bogus Schools Found in Pune; More Under Scanner
51 Bogus Schools Found in Pune; More Under Scanner
School Education Department urges parents to verify registration on U-DISE portal
Pune: The School Education Department has identified 51 unauthorised schools operating under the jurisdiction of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pune district authority. These are part of a larger list of over 800 schools across Maharashtra deemed “bogus” following a recent assessment. Of these, 100 schools have already been permanently shut down.
The department’s inspection was carried out across 1,300 institutions ahead of the 2025–26 academic year. According to officials, the actual number of unauthorised schools in the Pune district could be significantly higher than currently revealed.
As per senior official from the department, “Our department has inspected around 1,300 schools suspected of operating illegally in the state. Initially, documentation errors were found in more than 800 schools. In Pune, 51 schools have been confirmed bogus, and the number is likely to increase. Parents should report any suspicious schools to the department.”
Commissioner’s Directive
Following the findings, the Commissioner of School Education has directed that all illegal schools in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar, and Pune be shut down. The directive also mandates that students enrolled in these institutions be accommodated in government-recognised schools. Education officers have been asked to submit a detailed report to the Deputy Director of Education’s office.
Authorities have reiterated that unauthorised schools not only cause financial burdens for parents but also disrupt the educational progress of students. Parents are urged to verify the authenticity of a school before enrolling their children.
Check School Validity on U-DISE
To help parents make informed decisions, the department recommends checking a school’s registration status on the Unified District Information System for Education (U-DISE) portal. This will confirm whether a school is officially recognised by the state government.
Current Data on Unauthorised Schools
Under PMC Jurisdiction:
- Unauthorised schools: 09
- Schools with unauthorised letters of intent: 05
- Migrated but unauthorised schools: 09
Under Pune District Jurisdiction:
- Unauthorised schools: 08
- Schools with unauthorised letters of intent: 05
- Migrated but unauthorised schools: 15
Before Admitting Your Child:
Parents should ensure that the school possesses:
- No Objection Certificate (NOC)
- Board affiliation approval letter
- Letter of Intent from the state government
For accurate verification, visit the U-DISE portal before finalising admissions.
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