Mumbai University's BBA, BMS, and BCA CET Faces Third Year of Low Enrollment
For the third year running, the Common Entrance Test (CET) for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), and Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) programs in Maharashtra has received a tepid response from students. With over 100,000 seats available across state colleges, registration figures have remained disappointingly low, with fewer than 70,000 aspirants signing up so far.
Registration Deadline Extended Multiple Times
The registration deadline has already been pushed back three times, with authorities now setting Wednesday as the final cutoff date. A CET cell official confirmed that, unlike previous years, no additional CET will be conducted this year to accommodate latecomers.
Regulatory Changes Impact Program Popularity
Once a highly sought-after option in Mumbai University-affiliated colleges, the BMS program has notably lost its appeal following regulatory shifts. For the 2024-25 academic session, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) brought these courses under its jurisdiction, classifying them as professional programs.
This reclassification subjects the courses to the Maharashtra Unaided Private Professional (Regulation of Admission and Fees) Colleges Act, prompting the state to mandate a CET for admission. In response, many colleges have altered the program's nomenclature to BCom (Management Studies) to circumvent AICTE regulations, though the curriculum remains largely unchanged.
Admission Delays Disrupt Academic Calendars
Over the past two years, the state has conducted the entrance test twice to accommodate students who missed the initial CET. However, this practice has led to admissions being delayed until October, a period when most colleges have already completed their first semester.
This delay not only results in fewer students waiting for the process to conclude but also severely disrupts colleges' academic schedules. Last year, compounding the poor registration numbers, over 60% of seats across all three courses remained vacant.
Colleges Adapt to Mitigate Losses
Several Mumbai University-affiliated colleges, which initially opted to comply with AICTE regulations, have now decided to split their divisions. They offer one stream under the university as BCom (Management Studies) and another under AICTE as BMS. This strategic move aims to prevent losing high-achieving students due to protracted admission timelines.
A teacher highlighted that previously, BMS admissions were filled with students scoring above 90-95% in Class XII. Now, while CET scores may be higher, the Class XII marks of admitted students tend to be lower, reflecting a shift in the applicant pool.
Principal Voices Concerns Over Academic Disruption
"While classes for other courses commence in June-July, this one starts in October, throwing our entire academic calendar into disarray. Teachers are forced to instruct throughout what should be the vacation period," explained a college principal.
Another principal added, "By the time admissions conclude in October, nearly six months after Class XII results are announced, students have already settled into courses they opted for in June-July. The proliferation of university-regulated courses, which are gaining popularity, further diverts potential applicants."
The ongoing challenges underscore a critical need for streamlining admission processes and addressing regulatory impacts to revive interest in these once-popular professional programs.
