Govt may shift admissions for pvt med colleges to govt centres

Mumbai: In a move that could bring much-needed relief to medical aspirants, the state CET Cell has proposed shifting the admission process for private medical colleges to designated govt medical colleges. The proposal, currently under consideration, aims to curb alleged malpractices and reduce the stress students face during admissions.Senior officials confirmed that discussions are underway, with meetings held between the CET Cell, the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), and the medical education department to finalise the framework. While DMER has flagged concerns over staffing requirements, the CET Cell has suggested that private colleges depute their own representatives to these govt centres, thereby avoiding additional burden on public infrastructure.Currently, students allotted seats through the CET Cell's centralised process are required to report physically to the respective colleges within a stipulated timeframe to submit documents or pay fees to secure their seats. In the new system, the process will be conducted at specific govt-run medical institutes. The move, intended to address complaints of irregularities in private medical college admissions, follows a turbulent 2025 admission season during which students reported instances of harassment across private institutions.Each year, students have alleged that they were stopped at gates of private colleges, coerced into paying full fees despite eligibility for concessions, and asked to pay amounts exceeding those approved by the Fee Regulatory Authority. There have also been allegations of students being confined within campuses until admission deadlines lapse, and even instances where mobile phones of students and parents were taken away. Such practices have, at times, resulted in meritorious candidates losing out on seats.Under the proposed system, they would instead visit designated govt medical colleges for document verification and payment of fees—fixed by the Fee Regulatory Authority—following which admissions will be confirmed. Officials added that representatives from medical education department and the CET Cell will be present to resolve grievances in real time.Sources indicated that the proposal will be placed before the medical education secretary and thereafter referred to the law and judiciary department, as changes to the existing admission framework may be required ahead of the 2026 cycle. Former DMER head Dr Pravin Shingare backed the move, saying it could mark a decisive shift in how admissions are conducted. "For the first time, the entire process will be truly centralised in Maharashtra. If the govt clears this plan, it will send a strong message to students and parents that merit will be protected and any injustice to deserving candidates will not be tolerated," he said.