Pune, 21st June 2023: As the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) for First Year Junior College (FYJC) commences, there is growing concern over the projection that more than 30,000 seats will remain unfilled for the upcoming academic year of 2023-24.
The current student registration in the Pune region, which includes Pune, PCMC, and the district, falls short of the total number of available seats. Experts and educationists predict a continuation of the trend observed last year, where a significant number of seats were left unoccupied, amounting to a total of 39,077 vacancies.
Out of the intake capacity of 113,390 seats, only 88,413 registrations have been completed thus far. The science faculty has attracted the highest number of registrations, followed by the commerce stream, while arts and vocational courses have received relatively less interest.
An associate professor at a reputable college in Pune pointed out, “Last year, after six rounds of CAP admissions, approximately 39,000 seats remained vacant. This year, student registration is lower than the total intake, especially in the arts faculty. The cutoff percentage in many colleges has dropped compared to the past five years. There is an increasing trend of seeking admission to integrated colleges, as a significant number of students are preparing for JEE, NEET, and CET. As a result, there is diminished interest among parents and students in prestigious colleges. This poses a threat to the education system.”
Experts further explain, “The inclination towards enrolling in isolated, remote, and coaching class-affiliated colleges is detrimental to the education system. Admission to Class XI has become a mere formality, with students dedicating their two years solely to preparing for entrance exams. This year, there seems to be a lack of enthusiasm for Class XI admissions, as many students and parents do not appear to be serious about it. In the Pune region, student registration has been inadequate. There is a fear that over 30,000 seats may remain vacant, particularly in colleges located in remote areas, putting their potential closure at risk.”
Mina Shendkar, Secretary of CAP for FYJC admissions, stated, “Approximately 391,144 students have completed the first part of the online application for the Centralised Admission Process for Class XI across the state. However, many students are yet to verify their applications, and some have not filled out the second part. In the Pune region, only 88,413 students have registered thus far.”
Pune Region Application Status (as of June 20):
- Total number of colleges: 324
- Part One of registration (students): 88,413
- Students admitted after completing the application: 3,057
- Total vacancies: 110,333
- Total intake capacity: 113,390
The education authorities and stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation as they strive to find solutions to address the significant number of vacant seats and ensure a well-functioning and inclusive education system for students seeking admission to First Year Junior College.
