Pimpri Chinchwad: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) Education Department is set to distribute branded essential school kits to students starting June 15, the first day of the new academic year. This initiative is designed to ensure that students begin their studies fully prepared, with most distributions completed within the initial days to avoid disrupting classroom learning.
This year’s distribution is part of PCMC’s improved Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program, which leverages the digital platform e-Rupi to deliver school supplies through secure and cashless transactions. The department has incorporated several enhancements based on feedback from parents and schools, including new items added to the kit and smoother technology integration for a seamless experience.
A key highlight of the program is its extension to Balwadi students, providing the city’s youngest learners with essential school materials for the first time. New inclusions such as tiffin boxes and colouring supplies have been added to the existing kit of 12 essential branded items, ensuring quality and durability.
PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh emphasized the department’s commitment: “Starting distribution from day one ensures no child is left behind. By strengthening the DBT system and expanding the kit contents, we are directly supporting families and helping students focus on their education.”
Last year, 51,203 students benefited from this scheme, with branded school essentials worth Rs 19.49 crore distributed via the e-Rupi model. This year, the initiative will cover students from Balwadi up to Class 10.
A second distribution phase will begin on July 10, aimed at new admissions, late joiners, and Balwadi students whose records become available later. This phased approach guarantees comprehensive reach across all PCMC schools.
Additional Commissioner Pradip Jambhale Patil noted, “The e-Rupi based DBT program enables fast, transparent, and leakage-free delivery of benefits. With this year’s upgrades, we are enhancing responsiveness to the needs of students and parents while ensuring full accountability.”
Assistant Commissioner and Education Department Head Vijay Kumar Thorat added, “Technical improvements have been made to streamline the DBT process for both parents and vendors. Ten vendors have been empanelled after strict quality checks, and all transactions are secured with OTP verification to maintain safety and traceability.”
Key Details of PCMC’s 2025–26 School Kit Distribution:
Start Date: June 15 (first day of school)
Coverage: Students from Balwadi to Class 10
Distribution Mode: e-Rupi digital vouchers (cashless, no bank account required)
New Items Added: Tiffin box, Colours
Second Round: Begins July 10 for new admissions and late joiners
Last Year’s Reach: 51,203 students
Quality Assurance: All items from reputed brands
Transaction Security: OTP verification at schools
About the DBT-eRupi Process:
Beneficiaries receive prepaid QR code vouchers via SMS, redeemable exclusively for designated school materials. No bank account is necessary; only a valid 10-digit phone number is required. Every transaction is verified with an OTP to ensure security.
