MSU Commerce Faculty Announces Major BCom Admissions Overhaul
The Faculty of Commerce at Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) in Vadodara has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring of its first-year Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) admissions process, effective from the 2026-27 academic year. The changes aim to enhance accessibility, prioritize local students, and align education with industry demands.
New Composite Merit System with Entrance Test
Professor Pragnesh Shah, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, announced on Saturday that admissions will now be based on a composite merit system. This system assigns 75% weightage to Class 12 marks and 25% to an online entrance test. The entrance test will feature 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 100 minutes, covering English proficiency, logical reasoning, and core subjects such as accountancy, statistics, economics, and business studies.
"To ensure no student is disadvantaged, the test will be conducted in both English and Gujarati," Shah stated. A question bank of 500 questions will be made available to help students prepare effectively.
Increased Preference for Local Students
The faculty has significantly raised the share of seats reserved for Vadodara-based students from 85% to 95%, leaving only 5% for outstation candidates. "With limited educational options in the region, we want to prioritize students from Vadodara," Shah explained, emphasizing the move to support local youth.
Reduction in High-Fee Seats
In a bid to make education more affordable, the faculty has reduced its dependence on the higher payment category. Last year, 3,147 students were admitted under this scheme, but the number will now drop to approximately 1,800. More students will be accommodated under the regular fee structure, where annual fees are Rs 9,000, compared to Rs 15,600 for higher payment seats.
Total intake has been increased to 6,793 seats, including a new job-oriented programme. Officials noted that the previous high intake under self-financed seats had strained infrastructure, prompting this restructuring.
New Skill-Focused Programmes
To align with industry needs, the Faculty of Commerce is introducing two new programmes in the upcoming academic year:
- MCom in Global Business and Supply Chain Operations: With an intake of 80 seats and an annual fee of Rs 60,000, this programme aims to fill a gap in affordable logistics education. "Private institutes often charge Rs 8 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for similar courses," Shah highlighted. Students will undergo internships in the second year, receiving stipends of Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per month and gaining practical exposure to import-export documentation and global trade systems.
- BCom in Business Operations: This programme, with 333 seats, focuses on skill enhancement in areas like GST, income tax return filing, and business operations. It includes internships, on-the-job training, and research projects, offering opportunities in MSMEs, accounting practices, and financial markets.
Strict Attendance and Verification Measures
Starting this academic year, the faculty will enforce rigorous attendance and verification standards. Biometric registration—including fingerprint and retina scan data capture—will be mandatory during admission. "We will not accept fees unless students complete this process in person," Shah asserted.
Smart identity cards with updated photographs will be issued, linked to attendance and academic records. Attendance will be monitored through biometric systems to ensure classroom presence. This move addresses concerns that many students were skipping classes and academic processes, aiming to improve accountability and engagement.
Breakdown of BCom Intake
- Main Building: 1,950 seats
- Girls Building: 1,170 seats
- Unit: 1,820 seats
- Padra: 1,520 seats
- BCom (Business Operations): 333 seats
- Total: 6,793 seats
These reforms represent a significant shift towards a more structured, accessible, and industry-relevant commerce education at MSU, benefiting students in Vadodara and beyond.
