GCAS glitches spark outrage among students in Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Admissions to govt and select private universities across Gujarat via the Gujarat Common Admission System (GCAS) portal have sparked widespread dissatisfaction among students due to persistent technical and procedural glitches.

On Wednesday, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged strong protests against the GCAS system, highlighting multiple inconsistencies and demanding immediate reforms. Despite opposition from students and parents since its launch two years ago, the govt continues to insist on using the centralised entralised portal for admissions.

Students have reported that several integrated courses are not appearing as options during the registration process due to pending approvals, limiting their choices. Additionally, technical glitches such as the absence of an edit option while selecting between regular and distance -learning courses have prevented students from completing their applications. Delays in receiving OTPs on mobile phones have further added to the frustration.

Concerns have also been raised regarding students appearing for supplementary exams, as there is no clarity on how those who pass later will be accommodated in the admission process. Similarly, ambiguity persists over the quota for students from the CBSE board, creating uncertainty about their chances of securing admission.

ABVP activists visited the GCAS office at the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat (KCG) and demanded immediate resolution of these issues. They warned that continued negligence could severely impact students’ academic futures.

Another point of criticism is the registration fee structure. Students must pay Rs 300 (general category) or Rs 150 (reserved category), regardless of whether they secure admission. With lakhs of applicants expected, this could generate substantial revenue. Critics argue that the complicated process may indirectly push students towards private universities, raising concerns about privatisation in higher education.