Mumbai University pupils antsy over stayed degree admissions

Mumbai: After the state government last week directed universities in Maharashtra to halt the degree admission process, Mumbai University (MU) students have grown anxious as the dates of the second and third merit lists—June 22 and 27, respectively, have gone by. If the delay continues, chances are high that the academic calendar will be derailed. Last week’s decision to halt degree admissions came in the backdrop of MU’s minority institutions and colleges removing the quota for students belonging to backward classes.

The first list that came out last week did not have any quota for backward students i.e. scheduled caste (SC), scheduled tribe (ST) and other backward class (OBC). This was the first time that there was no separate list for these students, which was in keeping with the Bombay high court order passed in November 2017 permitting minority institutes to get rid of separate quota for reserved categories. At the same time, seats for open or general category students were almost double in the same list. Until such time the matter is cleared by the state, the MU cannot resume the degree admission process.

Ruchi Arun, a student, said, “The first merit list was out but my name did not show up and I was desperately waiting for the second list. Then I got the news from my friends and the internet that the second list was being halted. It’s been more than seven to eight days now that I am waiting and there is no sign of any lists.”

Another student said, “I asked my college about the lists but the principal told me to wait. How are we supposed to relax and wait with the dates going by!”

Dates of degree admissions
First merit list: June 19
Second merit list: June 22
Third merit list: June 27