Maharashtra law colleges have 24 hours to apply for Bar Council of India (BCI) recognition. The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) issued this ultimatum today to 103 out of 352 law colleges in the state. These institutions received show cause notices.
BCI Application Mandated for Admissions
Colleges must submit proof of application to the BCI. This is a requirement to join the CET Cell centralized counseling process for admissions. Higher Education Director Shailendra Deolankar confirmed the decision. He stated the measure aims to prevent further admission delays.
The DHE previously mandated three documents for colleges. These include DHE approval, a BCI recognition letter, and a university affiliation certificate. The decision to accept applications within 24 hours was made at a meeting on Wednesday with Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil.
Colleges applying to the BCI within the deadline will participate in counseling. The government will accept application letters. This allows student admissions to proceed without significant hold-ups.
Colleges Cite University Delays
Many colleges report delays in obtaining affiliation certificates from universities. Over 30 colleges await relief from Mumbai University, which denied them certificates. Some also await the university’s shortcomings report to pursue legal action.
A college principal stated that these delays force institutions to pay late fees to the BCI. This occurs even when the fault lies with universities. The BCI's deadline is December 31. University affiliation certificates are typically issued in June.
Some colleges have not yet received affiliation certificates. They are using last year’s papers for the online process. Colleges also plan to challenge shortcomings reports. They claim no local inquiry committee visited their premises.
Institutes face financial penalties. Some may pay up to Rs 8 lakh in late fees. Colleges report a lack of government intervention in resolving these issues.
