The Maharashtra government approved the upgrade of 19 secondary ashram schools to junior college level and five primary ashram schools to secondary level during a cabinet meeting on May 5, 2026, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The decision targets tribal students in hilly and remote regions to reduce dropout rates and ensure continuity in education.

The Tribal Development Department will oversee the expansion, which includes creating new teaching and support staff positions and allocating funds for infrastructure and operations. Officials said the upgraded institutions will allow students to pursue higher secondary education without relocating.

The state government cited persistent gaps in educational access for tribal communities as the primary reason for the expansion. Implementation of the upgrades is expected to begin in the current fiscal year, with schools scheduled to open in upgraded capacities by the next academic cycle.