Rahata is a tahasil in the Ahilyanagar District, Maharashtra. It is 70 k.m. away from Ahilyanagar by road, 90 k.m. from Nashik & 188 k.m. from Pune & 120 k.m. from Aurangabad. It is just 5 k.m. south to the Holy Shrine of Lord Saibaba of Shirdi. Rahata is becoming a model city in the district.
Padmashri Dr. Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil was a man of vision who recognized the poor state of farming and the indebtedness of farmers. This persuaded him to uplift the farmers through an establishment of co-operative sugar factory at Loni, a first of its kind in Asia. To educate the masses is the only solution to uplift them; with this thought in mind he started Pravara Rural Education Society, Pravaranagar in 1964.
Arts, Science and Commerce College, Rahata was a part of PRES till 2011. It is joined to Shirdi Sai Rural Institute, Pravaranagar from June, 2011. Rahata Educational Complex has Arts, Science and Commerce College, Rahata, Industrial Training Centre, Rahata & SSRI’s Institute of Engineering and Allied Sciences, Rahata. This complex has played a crucial role in the education of Women. Otherwise, it would have deprived the girls from Higher Education.
Shirdi Sai Rural Institute was established in 1997 as a Public Trust by the vision of Late Padmabhushan Dr. Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (Ex-Minister, Govt. of India, Founder Trustee, SSRI) with the moral support of Hon'ble Dr. Y.K. Alagh (Former Union Minister of State of Science and Technology). The institute is doing progress under the able guidance of Hon'ble Shri. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Chairman, Shirdi Sai Rural Institute, Pravaranagar, (Cabinet Minister of Water Resources, Govt. of Maharashtra) and Hon'ble Dr. Sujay Vikhe Patil, Trustee, SSRI, Pravaranagar, Hon’ble Mrs. Shalinitai Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil Ex. Zilla Parishad President, Ahmednagar and Hon'ble Mrs. Dhanshree Sujay Vikhe Patil, Director SSRI, Pravaranagar.
The Arts, Science and Commerce College, Rahata is celebrating the Silver Jubilee of its establishment (1997-2022). The college has been started with total student strength of 141, now strength is 1000+. Since then the College has been progressing. The college is located very close to the holy place of Lord Sai Baba's Shirdi. In the area of 21 Acers, 48 Teaching and 39 Non-teaching Staff are taking efforts to add the feathers in its cap. College is permanently affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, and included by UGC under 12 (b)and 2(F) section.
Flourishing as a higher learning centre in the region, for the upliftment of the poor and talented students 'Earn and Learn Scheme' various scholarships, career guidance schemes, seminars, workshops are conducted by the college. For the Excellent Academic Results, teachers are improving themselves through Orientation courses, Refresher courses and Research work. They are also inspired to attend such programmes by the management.
In recognition of the excellent educational facilities provided and services rendered to the rural masses, the college has received 'Best Rural College' Award from Savitribai Phule Pune University for the year 2013. In the academic year 2011-12 Student Welfare Board, Savitribai Phule Pune University has honored the college with the Best College Award. The NAAC has re-accredited the College with 'B++' Grade in 2017-18. The college also received the numerous awards for extension activities from 2018 to 2023 including Best Green Campus Award, Best NSS officer award etc.