It has now been over two months since the MHT-CET results were announced, following which registration for pharmacy admissions began.The deadline for submitting application forms for admission to Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) courses in Maharashtra have been extended once again — now pushed to August 19, from the earlier deadline of August 12.Multiple extensions have led to growing anxiety among aspirants, who are left wondering when the seat allotment rounds will begin.It has now been over two months since the MHT-CET results were announced, following which registration for pharmacy admissions began. While admissions to other technical courses have already progressed to their second or third rounds of seat allotment, B. Pharm admissions remain stuck at the registration stage, largely due to the ongoing approval of new colleges.Both aspirants and colleges are frustrated by the prolonged wait for the centralised admission process (CAP) to begin. While candidates fear a significant delay in academic schedules and potential academic loss, colleges are concerned that this delay may push students toward private universities or alternative courses — leading to vacant seats in B. Pharmacy programs.According to many frustrated candidates, it is unfair to make them wait for admissions just because new colleges are still being included in the seat matrix. One candidate said, “This might be the third extension of the registration process. If new colleges are upcoming, they can be included later. But admissions for the existing seats should begin immediately.” Candidates also pointed out that fewer students would join new institutions anyway, making the delay even less justified.Colleges, meanwhile, fear that the prolonged admission process will drive students toward other undergraduate programs. Prof. Milind Umekar, National President of the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI), said, “In Maharashtra, the number of pharmacy colleges has increased far beyond the actual requirement. Excessive delays in the centralised admission process have led to students opting out of pharmacy courses in the past as well.”He pointed out that last year’s B. Pharm. admissions continued until the end of December, causing significant academic disruption.Colleges also point out that private universities have already commenced their admission processes. “The uncertainty caused by the delay in CAP pushes many candidates toward private universities, which are not bound to admit students through CAP. On the other hand, colleges affiliated with state universities where admissions are determined by the CET Cell are facing serious challenges because of this delay,” said one college principal.Story continues below this adFurther highlighting the paradox of the situation, Prof. Umekar noted that this year’s delay is again due to waiting for the final number of new colleges, even though the state government has already begun inspecting newly approved pharmacy colleges in the past three years, due to an alarming increase in their number. “The state should at least set a cut-off date and declare that only colleges approved by that date will be included in the current admission cycle. And the rest will have to wait until the next cycle,” he said.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd