Mumbai: BMS aspirants worry over CET result

MU will declare the admission list to its management studies course on June 13. Representation Pic

The delay in the admission process for the Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) course has left students in a difficult position, as the Common Entrance Test (CET) cell has not yet declared results or the admission schedule for the courses. Newly elected Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai has taken up the student's cause, amid the confusion between Mumbai University's B Com (management studies) and AICTE's BMS course.

In a letter to AICTE, Desai urged officials to clarify the admission process and schedule in order to assist the students. Most Mumbai University (MU)-affiliated colleges offering the BMS course have decided to adopt the new nomenclature, changing BMS to B Com (management studies). Accordingly, they will admit students based on their HSC marks rather than CET scores.

MU will allow colleges that choose to continue with BMS to do so, but they must obtain approval from the AICTE (All-India Council of Technical Education). Last month, MU issued a circular to all its colleges about the change in the degree name, following requests from several affiliated colleges reluctant to follow AICTE regulations. As per the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, AICTE regulates all professional courses in the country. The curriculum for both courses remains similar.

This year, the first entrance exam for BMS admission in the state was conducted and the exam results are expected to be announced on June 17, with no definite schedule for the admission process declared as yet. However, the current situation has left students in a lurch, as MU is set to declare its merit list for the B Com course on June 13.

"Many students could not appear for the AICTE-conducted CET. According to sources, the number of aspirants who appeared for the CET is half of the total intake capacity. Hence, AICTE needs to clarify the situation, as many colleges have already registered with AICTE and paid the registration fees. If a majority of students secure admission in B Com (management studies), seats in the BMS course will be left vacant. Also, students might end up losing opportunities on both sides due to the confusion," said the principal of a college.

A BMS aspirant said the course is very popular and many students opt for it. "This year, however, has been full of confusion. I appeared for the CET, and the results are yet to be declared. Once the MU admission process is completed for the B Com (management studies) course, we won't be able to cancel the admission as per college rules. So, we will lose our money as well as the opportunity for BMS,"

In his letter to AICTE dated June 11, Desai said, "According to a complaint received from the Senate Members of Mumbai University, the title of the BMS course has been changed to B Com (management studies) starting from the academic year 2024-2025 in MU-affiliated colleges. The BMS course, which was introduced in 2000 with the approval of MU, has the same syllabus as the newly titled B Com (management studies) course; only the title has been changed.

This year, with the permission of AICTE, the BMS course will be offered in colleges, and its admission process will be conducted through the CET. However, many students could not appear for the CET entrance exam due to the lack of information and awareness about it. Since the results for the students who appeared for the exam have not yet been announced, the first merit admission list of MU, scheduled to be declared on June 13, will be affected. This delay in the admission process for BMS is leading to confusion among students."

The letter further states that many students will be deprived of admission to the BMS course due to the delay. "After taking admission for the B Com course, it will be difficult for students to enrol for BMS. Therefore, I urge that proper steps be taken to commence the admission process for the academic year 2024-25 of the BMS course as early as possible so students have the rightful opportunity to take on their academic pursuits."