MHCET results keep students confused on additional quota marks

Maharashtra: MHCET results are out; however, the students of the state are still confused regarding the matter of being given extra marks. These extra marks will be granted for admission through additional quota for participation in extra curricular activities. Nature of these activities may include participation in sports, cultural events, NCC among others.

The state CET cell normally declares the additional marks granted by May 16. This year only seems like an exception to the rule as no intimation on the matter has been given to students as yet. The admission process is likely to get delayed, if the results are not announced soon by the concerned administration. The allotment merit list is likely to be out on June 14.

Career counsellor Kedar Takalkar in his statement implied that the normally the extra marks are sum up to the CET score of the students. A merit list is then prepared by the state government every year. The merit list is for declaring admissions to medical colleges. The usual procedure is the DMER calling for supporting documents as evidence of participation in identified extracurricular activities.

Students implied that this additional quota is so important that even if you score two extra marks, it will make a huge difference for admission. Ameya Dharmadhikari, who wants to study medicine, said to TOI that the CET authorities usually issues a proforma of the form, eligibility rules among others on their websites. "The details are usually up on the website by mid-May. However, the results are only a day away and there has been no clarity from the state government on this aspect yet."

This extra merit to students is given on basis of excelling in sports, participating in any kind of activity conducted by the National Cadet Corps Candidates, candidates who are off-springs of freedom fighters, or if their parents have participated in the Hyderabad & Goa liberation movements. Students falling under these categories are granted 1% marks.

Ketan Pawar, senior faculty member in a city college implied that students are still not aware of when the required documents have to be submitted to the entrance authorities. Every year, it has been a practice to submit the documents in March, during the time of submitting the CET form. Also, each year, candidates are given a time of three months to procure the documents. However, there is no clarity on the procedure or the issue this time.

Pravin Shingare, director, DMER, said to TOI that the details of the quotas will be announced soon. "The parents of medical aspirants are an excited lot. This year, we are announcing the results in record time and have also declared the answer key as well as OMR sheets so students can judge their performance. Now, with additional marks in these criteria, they are excited about which college would their child get into and hence the demand for announcement of the quota marks. We will state the details of the quotas within three to four days," he said.

Shingare added that with the new state common entrance test cell being formed by the state government, it would be their responsibility to officially announce the criteria and they have been intimated about the same.