Leaders, student bodies question fairness, demand immediate review of admission policy
PANAJI
Goa University’s decision to allocate more than double the number of seats to non-Goan applicants than to Goan students in its five-year integrated programmes for the 2026-27 academic year has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and student bodies, who have sought immediate intervention from the State government.
As per the university’s admission notification issued on April 28, each integrated programme provides 15 seats for students who have completed Class XII from Goa, while 35 additional seats have been earmarked for candidates from other Indian states. The disparity has triggered concerns over access and fairness for local students.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao strongly objected to the move, urging the Chief Minister to step in and halt the rollout of the programmes, which span five disciplines. He also called for the Vice-Chancellor to be summoned for clarification.
“None of these programmes have been discussed with the faculty or the respective schools of the university. No approval has been taken from the government for their introduction. These programmes will adversely affect the strength of affiliated colleges, as the university will begin admitting students directly after Class XII,” Alemao said.
He further pointed out that colleges in Goa are already grappling with declining admissions due to the growing presence of private universities. Questioning the timing of the decision, Alemao alleged that the Vice-Chancellor had acted unilaterally without stakeholder consultation or government approval, adding that the matter warranted scrutiny, particularly with the VC set to retire in the next two months.
The integrated programmes, covering disciplines such as sciences, social sciences, management, media, and public policy are being introduced under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with admissions based on merit derived from Class XII marks.
Echoing similar concerns, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) said the decision raises legitimate questions about prioritising local students in a State-run institution. Party chief Vijai Sardesai stressed that Goa University must first cater to the educational needs of Goans.
“It is only fair and reasonable that Goan students are given clear priority in admissions. A simple and transparent system can be adopted wherein seats reserved for Goans, if left vacant, may then be opened to students from outside the State,” Sardesai said, adding that such a mechanism would ensure optimal utilisation of seats without compromising local interests.
He maintained that the issue is not about exclusion but about ensuring fairness, accountability, and the university’s responsibility towards the State’s students.
While the 15 seats for Goan students will be filled in accordance with the State’s reservation policy across categories such as SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD, the 35 seats for non-Goan applicants are classified as supernumerary—over and above the base intake. However, critics argue that the higher number of such seats undermines equitable access for local students.
The Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) has also raised concerns, questioning the fairness and inclusivity of the policy. The student body has demanded a review of the admission structure by both the State government and the university.
NSUI State General Secretary Kumar Gauli said that although the additional seats are termed supernumerary, their disproportionate number cannot be overlooked, especially given that Goa University is the State’s only public university.
“The 15 seats allocated for Goan students are further subject to reservation across various categories, effectively reducing the number of open seats for local students. In contrast, the significantly higher number of seats for non-Goan applicants raises serious concerns about equity and access,” Gauli said.
He added that while the NEP promotes inclusivity and diversity, it should not come at the cost of marginalising students from the State. “Goa’s students must be given rightful priority in their own university. Education is not just about expansion, but also about fairness and responsibility towards the local population,” he said.
