Mumbai: How can 1st list close before our results, ask CBSE, ICSE students

A large section of Std XII students from boards other than the Maharashtra state board are a worried lot as they are unable to apply for admission to colleges affiliated with the University of Mumbai MU Reason The registration deadline for admission to undergraduate courses at MU was June 25 but CBSE and ICSE boards are yet to release results The major concern is that these studentsrsquo options for top colleges under MU would narrow down as the first merit list will be announced on June 29 as per MUrsquos admission schedule And seats in top colleges in the city are filled in the first two listsThis may be the first time the institution has decided to begin admissions prior to announcement of Std XII results across boardsThis year both CBSE and ICSE board examinations were conducted in two terms due to the COVID19 pandemic The number of CBSE and ICSE board students who appeared for the Std XII boards exams runs into several lakhslsquoAllow preadmission registrationrsquoStudents parents and even schools are concerned that if students are not allowed to register for admissions with basic details till the results are announced the varsity will have no idea how many CBSE and ICSE students are interested in admissions to MU collegesUniversity of Mumbairsquos campus in Kalina File picldquoAt least let interested students registermdashthey can upload documents and details from mark sheets later This will give the university an idea of how many students want to apply for admission to MU collegesrdquo said the parent of a student from a south Bombay schoolShe added ldquoIf they MU release the merit lists before CBSE and ICSE results then I am taking legal opinion on how I along with other parents can move court against this We are also taking opinions of school principalsrdquoldquoIn my opinion the university colleges must set aside a certain number of seats in various courses according to admission data last year From last yearrsquos data they will get a fair idea of how many students apply for colleges under MUrdquo said Sunita George principal of Bombay Scottish ICSE School MahimNo clarity from MUThe varsity claimed that it has permitted colleges to apply for additional seats to accommodate CBSE and ICSE students when the results are announcedldquoThis is a big issue It is not fair that MU is not waiting for CBSE and ICSE results MU must consider the interests of these students I hope the respective boards can write to the universityrdquo said Father Francis Swamy principal of south Mumbaibased Campion School ICSEThe principal of a CBSE school in Malad said ldquoI do not understand whatrsquos the need to rush with the admission process MU needs to understand that a huge chunk of ICSE and CBSE students opt for state colleges Can MU guarantee that these students will not miss out on top collegesrdquoAlso Read Mumbai University to offer 2year MA in Hindu Studies soonWhat MU officials and colleges sayA senior MU official said ldquoWe had previously released the schedule Once CBSE and ICSE board results are revealed institutions can accept applications based on the merit list and cutoff marks and they can also request permission from the university for additional seats if neededrdquoldquoThis is the responsibility of the respective boards to plan and not let their students suffer We have missed a lot in the previous two years due to the pandemic and now are scrambling to get the academic calendar back on track Hence the admission process cannot be delayedrdquo said Dr Kiran Mangaonkar principal of G N Khalsa College Matunga He added ldquoAnother likely problem is that the late entry of nonstate board students in the process will lead to high cutoffs in the third and following lists which will impact state board students with lower marks toordquoJune 25Deadline to register for undergrad admission29 JuneDay when the first merit list is scheduled to be announcedAdmission updateOverall intake capacity for undergraduate courses 395214No of applications received 645228No of applicants registered 241921Important datesOnline submission of admission forms June 25First merit list 11 am on June 29Online verification of documents and payment of fees June 30 to July 6Second merit list 11 am on July 7Online verification of documents and payment of fees July 8 to July 13Third merit list 11 am on July 14Online verification of documents and payment of fees July 14 to July 16