Maharashtra Bans Physical and Mental Punishment in Schools; Action Within 24 Hours
Pune, December 16, 2025 – In a landmark move to safeguard students and ensure a respectful learning environment, the Maharashtra government has issued a comprehensive resolution yesterday, enforcing a complete ban on physical and mental punishment across all schools in the state. The order reaffirms and strengthens the provisions of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, with a specific focus on Section 17.
The new government resolution mandates that teachers, headmasters, and all staff, including temporary or contractual employees, are strictly prohibited from punishing students under any circumstances.
Comprehensive Ban on Psychological Distress
Beyond physical force, the resolution meticulously addresses emotional and psychological well-being. It explicitly bans:
- Verbal abuse and taunting.
- The use of offensive or derogatory language.
- Any behavior causing psychological distress or feelings of inferiority among students.
Furthermore, the order makes discrimination on the basis of academic performance, caste, religion, gender, language, disability, or socio-economic background a punishable offence.
🚨 New Safeguards and Accountability Measures
The resolution introduces several critical measures to enhance child protection and staff accountability, replacing the traditional table format with clear bullet points:
- Communication Restriction: Teachers are barred from using personal messages or social media for non-academic communication with students.
- Media Consent: The use of students’ photos or videos is restricted and requires explicit parental consent.
- Grievance Redressal: Schools must establish a formal grievance redressal mechanism for students and parents.
- Evidence Preservation: Schools are required to preserve CCTV evidence as per guidelines.
- Mandatory Reporting: Serious offences, including sexual abuse or child harassment, must be reported to the police within 24 hours.
Click here to read the Government Resolution in this regard .
Strict Action for Violations
The new directive is mandatory for all government, aided, and private schools across Maharashtra. Any violation of these rules will invite strict legal action under relevant laws, including the RTE Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
This proactive government order is expected to usher in a new era of safety and dignity in Maharashtra’s educational institutions, ensuring a nurturing and respectful space for every student to learn and thrive.
