Admissions Among Girls Surge By 44,000 Under Maharashtra’s Free Education Scheme
Admissions Among Girls Surge By 44,000 Under Maharashtra’s Free Education Scheme
Pune: Admissions among female students in Maharashtra’s higher education institutions have seen a significant increase of 44,198 in the 2024–25 academic year, attributed to the state’s free education scheme for girls. Officials have described the rise as “phenomenal,” with the initiative hailed for transforming lives and expanding opportunities.
The scheme, introduced by the Higher and Technical Education Department, covers tuition for degree, diploma, and postgraduate programs, including professional courses like engineering, law, pharmacy, and management. Eligibility requires the family’s annual income to be under ₹8 lakh.
Impact and Progress
Data from the State Common Entrance Test (CET) cell reveals that girls secured 173,434 out of 597,277 available seats this year, up from 129,263 out of 414,713 seats last year. The surge is particularly evident in fields such as MBA, law, engineering, and computer applications.
Experts and educators have commended the scheme.
Former Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil lauded the initiative introduced during his tenure. “This increase reaffirms our commitment to empowering girls through education. Maharashtra, where women’s education was championed by Savitribai Phule, is witnessing its daughters achieve new milestones,” he remarked.
With its promising start, the scheme is anticipated to further reshape Maharashtra’s educational landscape, fostering greater inclusivity and empowerment for young women.
