Students admitted to various higher education courses in the state under the newly enforced Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) quota in the academic year 2024-25 get another extension of three more months from January to submit their caste validation certificate (CVC). However, if they fail to submit the CVC within this extended period, they risk losing their admission. Along with SEBC, the extension will be applicable for students who have taken admission to seats reserved under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota. The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell uploaded the Government Resolution (GR) issued in this regard by state earlier this month so that students are made aware of the extension. This is over and above the six months extension already allowed in July by the state government for the same after many from the community raised concerns regarding delays in obtaining the necessary documents. CET Cell Commissioner Dilip Sardesai said, “With many candidates complaining of delays in obtaining the documents, the deadline was initially extended by six months. As the extension was going to conclude in January, at CET Cell we took a review of the current situation and realised that there are a significant number of students who are yet to submit the CVC. Accordingly, it was pointed out to the state government which promptly acted on it for students’ benefits.” In the process, the additional three-month period is extended to the OBC quota too. As per the GR, this additional extension is specifically for SEBC and OBC category candidates whose admission has already been confirmed but who failed to submit the necessary caste validity certificate within the earlier timeframe. The government has clarified that this three-month period will be final, with no further extensions to be granted. “If candidates fail to submit their caste validity certificate within this extended period, they will be responsible for losing their admission,” states the GR. The SEBC quota consists of 10 percent reserved seats in jobs and education in Maharashtra for individuals coming from the Maratha community. As this reservation was passed in February 2024, academic year 2024-25 was the first admission cycle containing the SEBC quota. Many candidates seeking admission under the newly introduced quota have been complaining of difficulties in obtaining the necessary documents which is causing delay.
