Protest erupts over admission in first year BCom at MSU

Vadodara: The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) staged a protest on Tuesday, demanding an increase in the number of BCom (Hons) seats at the Faculty of Commerce, MS University.

Student leaders gathered outside the main building of the commerce faculty, raising slogans and insisting that all local students from Vadodara be admitted to the first-year BCom programme.

"Around 10,000 students applied for first-year BCom admission this year. After the merit list was released, the cut-off stood at 60%. Many students from Vadodara have been denied admission despite meeting the criteria," said Amar Vaghela, president of NSUI's Vadodara unit.

The student leaders also alleged confusion in the admission process, claiming that students from reserved categories are being directed to take admission under higher-payment seats.

Faculty officials, however, assured the protesting students that they are working to ensure that all eligible applicants are accommodated.

NSUI has warned that if local students are not granted admission, the organization will escalate the protest into a larger agitation.

It is worth noting that admissions to the BCom programme last year were marred by chaos, eventually requiring intervention from the state education minister, Vadodara's MP, and local MLAs. This year, university officials have stated that the faculty will adhere to the 85:15:5 admission ratio — 85% of seats reserved for students from Vadodara city and district, 15% for students from other parts of Gujarat, and 5% for students from outside the state.