Maharashtra’s Free Education Program for EWS Girls Increases Admission Rates

The recent decision by the Maharashtra state to offer free education to females from Economically Disadvantaged Sections (EWS) in professional courses has exponentially increased the number of seats in engineering, pharmacy, and agriculture. The abrupt increase in the number of educational institutions and the potential proliferation of these institutions have prompted concerns among education experts.

This year, the Maharashtra state has made a monumental increase in the number of seats in professional courses. The number of seats in engineering has been raised by a staggering 15,000, in pharmacy by 3,000, and in agriculture by approximately 500. This significant surge, along with the government's decision to allow colleges to expand their seat capacity during the admission process for the first time, has raised concerns among educationists.

The state's intake capacity has substantially increased, rising from 1,40,000 last year to 1,55,000 due to the approved seats for engineering. In agriculture, the most recent GR has approved the establishment of two new agricultural colleges and the expansion of one existing college, adding 180 new seats to the agricultural degree programs. The state currently has a total admission capacity of 11,818 and has 20 government, two-sided, and 88 unaided colleges that offer agrarian degrees. Last year, 9,660 seats were filled, leaving 2,158 seats vacant.

The state administration has authorised free higher education to female pupils from families with an annual income of less than Rs 8.00 lakh. Additionally, female pupils admitted under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and EWS categories are granted a 50% tuition waiver, further easing the financial burden on these students.