Pune: The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has decided to allow direct admission to MBA courses on the basis of degree marks obtained by students who could not appear for the 'MBA CET' entrance exam due to 'COVID-19' outbreak.
MAT, CAT, CMAT, GMAT, ATMA and other entrance examinations are conducted for admission to MBA, PGDBM courses across the country. In Maharashtra, MBA CET is conducted by the government. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, the educational schedule has been disrupted since March.
Maharashtra's 'MBA CET' had been announced, however, due to the COVID-19 outbreak situation admission process of several courses was affected including CET for which some examinations could not be held. So, some students could not take the exam. AICTE has decided to give admission to these students this year, on the basis of the final year marks of the degree, so that they do not lose their academic year. Rajiv Kumar, Member of AICTE has issued this circular.
"Admissions should be given on priority to those students who have appeared for CET this year as per rule. Students who have not appeared for the entrance examination will be admitted for the vacant seats on the basis of final year marks of their degree," the circular states.
Parag Kalkar, Dean of Faculty of Commerce and Management from Savitribai Phule Pune University said, "MBA admissions were not possible without appearing for CET. However, due to COVID-19 outbreak this year, most of the students could not give the CET exams. These students can get admission to MBA based on their degree marks. This concession has been given only for this year."
About 15 per cent of seats remain vacant
At least 15 per cent of MBA seats remain vacant every year. Last year, there was a total intake capacity of 13,365 seats in 105 institutions in Pune. Of which admissions were taken for only 11,527 seats. Vacancies are likely to be reduced this year as admission will be without the CET.
