Maharashtra ITI Admissions Drop 32% in 2026
Only 79,278 students secured admission against 1.45 lakh seats as document hurdles and mandatory domicile requirements hit ITI enrolments across Maharashtra.
Maharashtra ITI Admissions Drop 32% in 2026
The 2026 admission season for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Maharashtra has witnessed a sharp decline, with student enrolments dropping by 32.16% compared to last year. Despite over 1.45 lakh seats being available across government and private ITIs, only 79,278 students have confirmed admissions after the first three CAP rounds.
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According to the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET), admissions have remained significantly below expectations. Of the total admissions, 62,634 students enrolled in government ITIs, while 16,644 students secured seats in private institutions.
In comparison, the same three admission rounds last year recorded 1,30,745 confirmed admissions, including 90,106 students in government ITIs and 40,639 in private institutes. This year’s figures indicate that both government and private ITIs have experienced a major decline in student interest.
With 1,45,144 seats available statewide, Maharashtra has achieved an admission rate of only 54.62% this year, compared to 86.78% during the corresponding admission rounds in 2025.
Mandatory Documents Slowed Admissions
Institution operators have attributed the decline to a slower admission process and stricter documentation requirements introduced this year. The mandatory submission of a domicile certificate created difficulties for many students, as several applicants were unable to obtain the document before the admission deadline.
Officials believe these documentation challenges, along with other factors, discouraged many eligible students from completing the admission process.
Top ITI Trades by Seat Capacity
The highest number of seats is available in the following trades:
- Electrician – 25,140 seats
- Fitter – 23,420 seats
- Welder – 17,340 seats
- Computer Operator and Programming Assistant (COPA) – 10,824 seats
- Mechanic Diesel – 8,064 seats
- Wireman – 7,200 seats
- Mechanic Motor Vehicle – 6,696 seats
- Electronics Mechanic – 4,632 seats
- Dress Making – 4,480 seats
- Turner – 3,720 seats
The low admission numbers have raised concerns over the future demand for skill-based vocational education in Maharashtra, particularly at a time when industries continue to seek technically trained manpower.
