Mumbai: First year junior college admissions not valid right now

Students protesting in March. Pic/Bipin Kokate

If any college is assuring admission for FYJC right now, please be cautious, as it could be rendered null and void after the actual centralised admissions process begins. The state education department has issued a notice of caution regarding the same, asking parents to stay away from such admissions, and warned colleges against it.

As Secondary School Certificate (SSCertificate) evaluation remains undecided yet, there is growing uncertainty over FYJC admissions. According to the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education of Maharashtra State Government, some colleges are seen taking advantage of this confusing period and holding admissions through varied platforms such as Google forms.

Also Read: Cancelled Class X SSC exam: Marks formula not devised, Bombay HC told

"FYJC admissions is a centralised online process for most parts of Maharashtra, especially all cities including, Mumbai, Pune, Nasik, and Nagpur among others. Generally, this begins after the SSC results are declared. This year, the process has not been finalised by the authorities. Yet, some colleges are opening up admissions for their seats through Google forms. This is misguiding students and their parents," stated the letter issued by DG Jagtap, Director of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. The letter dated May 21 is issued to all education inspectors asking them to create awareness among parents against these unethical FYJC admissions.

With no decision on how to declare the SSC results, admission to the first year of college has become the biggest concern for lakhs of students. The SSC score is usually the deciding factor for college admissions. "Many small, private colleges are seen taking advantage of this anxiety among students and parents, especially in cities. Though there is no official complaint as yet. If any candidate confirms such an admission, it will not be approved. The idea is to avoid any future trouble for students and parents," said a senior official from the department, requesting anonymity.

What is the fate of the SSC exams?

Meanwhile, students and their parents are also worried about the ongoing litigation in Bombay High Court against the cancellation of SSC exams. The state board exam was declared cancelled in April considering the pandemic conditions. But now, the HC has asked the state to justify its decision as Class XII exams were only postponed, not cancelled.