"The BMC is trying to provide the best education in the country and the world to students for free," said Maharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray on the occasion.

The course will be started in some of the `Public Schools' of the BMC from the next academic year, he said.
 
The civic body, controlled by Thackeray's party,  the Shiv Sena, has designated some of its schools as `Public Schools'.

Mayor  Kishori Pednekar was also present as the agreement was signed at the Sahyadri Guest House of the state government.

"It will provide a great option to students in Mumbai," Thackeray said.

The civic body is focusing on upgrading school infrastructure, he said.

"Due to the quality education provided in these schools, more than ten thousand applications have been received for 4,000 seats in the current academic year," Thackeray added.