Mumbai: In a major relief for over 1,600 students admitted under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category for the academic year (AY) 2024-25, Maharashtra’s Higher and Technical Education Minister, Chandrakant Dada Patil, announced on Friday that EWS certificates submitted in the Central Government’s prescribed format will be accepted.
This decision marks a special exception, as the students were originally required to provide certificates in the format prescribed by the state government.
Patil said that the decision was taken to safeguard the academic interests of the affected students, ensuring their admissions remain valid. “Given the circumstances, we have decided to approve EWS certificates in the central format for this academic year. This one-time measure will provide much-needed relief to students and their families,” he said.
The Higher and Technical Education Department has instructed the State Common Entrance Test Cell to implement this directive immediately, ensuring a seamless process for the students concerned, Patil added.
The announcement comes on the heels of a recently issued government resolution granting an additional three-month extension for AY 2024-25 students of Socially and Educationally Backward Class (SEBC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates to submit their caste validity certificates (CVCs). This extension was deemed necessary due to delays in the issuance of these certificates, attributed to a shortage of personnel in the state.
As reported by the Free Press Journal in its Friday edition, the state has only three officers responsible for issuing caste validity certificates across its 36 districts. This acute shortage has caused significant delays, affecting students seeking admission to critical streams like standard XI science and professional courses, including engineering and medicine.
Now, through this special exemption for EWS students, the state government aims to address immediate concerns of the students from the economically weaker groups. The decision is expected to ensure that eligible students can proceed with their education without undue hindrance, especially in competitive fields where delays in documentation can result in loss of academic opportunities.
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