BMC school shutdown: 164 unauthorised schools listed on April 17, 2026
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation released a list of 164 unauthorised schools on April 17, 2026 , ordering closures under Clause 18 of the RTE Act. This move affects more than 80,000 students just before the 2026-27 academic session.
BMC school shutdown — what the order says
The closures cite non-compliance with recognition, safety and infrastructure norms mandated by the RTE Act. Many flagged institutions were running from residential rooms or chawls without proper classrooms, playgrounds or qualified staff.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Prachi Jambhekar has said the civic body will prioritise student relocation to authorised municipal schools. The BMC has offered solutions such as double shifts and extra divisions to avoid disrupting the academic year.
BMC school shutdown — numbers and key dates
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Schools listed | 164 unauthorised schools |
| Students affected | Over 80,000 enrolled students |
| Closure order date | April 17, 2026 |
| Session impacted | 2026-27 academic session |
| Managements seeking regularisation | 48 (submitted proposals in October 2025 ) |
Where these schools were operating
Most of the unauthorised schools were in densely populated pockets of the city, including Govandi, Mankhurd, Dharavi and Malad. Officials found many classrooms inside small residential units and chawls that did not meet minimum safety standards.
What BMC is offering affected students
The BMC is arranging transfers to authorised municipal schools and has asked existing municipal schools to add double shifts or extra divisions where needed. Authorities say they will prioritise continuity of education and minimise learning loss for students.
Managements that have applied for state approval remain under review; 48 submitted regularisation proposals in October 2025 , but those approvals are not confirmed.
Officials are urging parents to verify a school's recognition status on official portals before paying any admission fees. No school can legally function without official certification under Clause 18 of the RTE Act.
What we don’t yet know
The civic release did not provide a full list of individual schools with detailed locations, timelines for completing transfers, or names of receiving schools. Legal action or penalties against school managements were not detailed in the public notice.
FAQs
Q: Why were the schools shut? A: They lacked mandatory state or civic recognition and did not meet safety and infrastructure standards under Clause 18 of the RTE Act.
Q: How many students are affected? A: Over 80,000 students enrolled in the 164 unauthorised schools.
Q: What will happen to affected students? A: BMC is arranging transfers to authorised municipal schools using double shifts or extra divisions to absorb students.
Q: Did any schools seek regularisation? A: Yes. 48 school managements submitted proposals for state approval in October 2025 ; approvals are pending.
Q: What should parents do now? A: Confirm recognition status on official government portals and avoid paying fees until recognition is verified.
Q: Which areas are most affected? A: Reports indicate clusters in Govandi, Mankhurd, Dharavi and Malad.
Q: Where can you check a school's recognition? A: Use the official state or civic education authority portals that list recognised schools.
Q: Will the school year be postponed? A: Authorities aim to prevent academic loss by shifting students into existing municipal provisions for the 2026-27 session.