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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the formation of a sub-committee to examine locations outside universities' existing five-year plans for setting up new colleges from the 2027-28 academic year.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Maharashtra State Higher Education and Development Commission (MAHED) at the state secretariat. The proposed panel will examine locations that have been found eligible by universities and consider requests received from public representatives and educational institutions.
Panel to Examine Locations for New Colleges
The sub-committee will assess proposed locations against the required criteria and submit its report to the state government.
The move is aimed at expanding access to higher education by considering areas that may not have been included in the five-year expansion plans prepared by universities.
The final decision on establishing new colleges will be taken after the proposed locations are examined and recommendations are submitted to the state government.
More CET Centres to Be Set Up
Fadnavis also directed officials to increase the number of Common Entrance Test (CET) examination centres across Maharashtra.
The objective is to provide students with examination centres closer to their places of residence and reduce the need for long-distance travel.
At the same time, Fadnavis stressed that increasing the number of centres should not compromise examination security and transparency. The CET Cell has been directed to establish an effective system for monitoring and controlling examination centres.
Engineering Admissions 2026-27 Reviewed
During the meeting, CET Cell Commissioner Dilip Sardesai presented the status of the 2026-27 engineering admission process.
Officials also reviewed the centralised admission system and discussed measures to make the process simpler, transparent and more student-friendly.
Share of Girls in Engineering Admissions Rises
The state government also highlighted an increase in the proportion of female students among engineering admissions following its decision to provide free higher education to women.
According to figures presented during the meeting, the share of girls in engineering admissions increased from 32.72% in 2023-24 to 37.27% in 2026-27.
The latest decisions on new colleges and CET centres are expected to influence higher education infrastructure and entrance examination arrangements in Maharashtra from the upcoming academic sessions.
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