Pune: While the admission processes for engineering, management, and other professional courses in the state are well underway, pharmacy course admissions are facing significant delays.
The primary reason for this setback is the pending approval from the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to the pharmacy colleges, which has also prevented universities from granting affiliations to these institutions.
As a result, the pharmacy admission process is currently limited to online registration, with the actual student admissions being pushed back.
The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell had conducted the entrance exams for pharmacy courses alongside other professional courses.
Admissions for courses like BE, B.Tech, and MBA have already progressed through multiple rounds, but pharmacy courses remain stalled due to the absence of necessary PCI approvals.
Typically, the PCI initiates an online process around December-January each year, allowing pharmacy colleges to apply for the requisite affiliation.
This process involves colleges updating their information on the PCI portal, followed by inspections and eventual approval. Only after receiving PCI’s approval do universities grant affiliation to these colleges. This year, however, the approval process has been delayed, thereby stalling admissions for D. Pharm, B. Pharm, and M. Pharm courses.
Dr. P. D. Choudhary, Principal of Modern College of Pharmacy, Nigdi, explained that the delay in PCI approvals has led to significant setbacks in the admission process. Despite efforts by the Department of Technical Education to start the online registration, the process cannot move forward until PCI approval is granted. As a result, student admissions might only begin in November or December, leading to potential academic losses.
Dr. Sohan Chitlange, Principal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, noted that the PCI typically grants approval to colleges at the start of the new year, allowing them to conduct admissions. However, this year, the PCI extended the deadline for approving new pharmacy colleges until October-November. This delay has affected existing colleges, disrupting their academic schedules.
Delayed Admission Process Consequences:
Students are increasingly opting for private or deemed universities.
Many students who were waiting for pharmacy admissions are now enrolling in B.Sc. programs.
The academic calendar of colleges is likely to be disrupted.
Students face academic losses due to delayed starts.
Insufficient time may be available to complete the first semester’s curriculum.