Maharashtra lifts suspension on minority status certificates for educational institutions

The Maharashtra Government has lifted the suspension on issuing religious and linguistic minority status certificates to educational institutions across the state. The decision, announced through a Government Resolution (GR), dated October 29. This decision includes allowing the issuance of fresh certificates to resume after a halt imposed in February.

The government has also changed the authority responsible for issuing these certificates. The Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary or Secretary of the Minority Development Department will now handle the process.

The decision is part of the state's efforts to improve transparency in certificate issuance, clear pending applications and strengthen the verification mechanism.

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Minority certificate process resumes

The suspension was initially imposed through a government letter dated February 18, 2026, citing administrative reasons. The latest GR formally withdraws the restriction on issuing minority status certificates to educational institutions belonging to religious and linguistic minority communities.

The government said it was considering measures to ensure “uniformity and transparency” in the certification process. These include disposing of pending applications within a stipulated time frame and implementing an effective mechanism for certificate verification.

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Secretary-level officers get authority

Under the revised arrangement, the additional chief secretary, principal secretary or secretary of the Minority Development Department, Mumbai, will be the competent authority for issuing minority status certificates.

This replaces the earlier arrangement established under a GR dated May 27, 2013, which authorised the joint secretary or deputy secretary of the department to issue these certificates.

The latest resolution has been issued in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra and digitally signed by Ananda Shendge, deputy secretary to the state government. It is available on the Maharashtra Government's official website.