Record 26,000 students in Nagpur to appear for MHT-CET today

Nagpur: On Thursday, the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test’s (MHT-CET) record books will get rewritten as an unprecedented 25,767 students are set to appear for it in Nagpur. Last year, just 9,500 students had registered for the exam as it was held only for undergraduate medical aspirants, unlike this year where even engineering entrance has been clubbed with it. The last such combined exam was held in 2012 which saw 18,500 students register in the city.While students give a common paper for physics & chemistry, they may choose between maths (engineering aspirants) and biology (medical aspirants) subjects.
Dr SM Parate, in-charge of Thursday’s exam, told TOI that his team is prepared for the massive exercise. “On Wednesday, we held a training session in two batches for almost 1,700 people who will be involved in conducting the exam. There are 56 centres in the city and we are fully prepared for it,” said Parate.
He added that keeping the scale of operations in mind, students must do their part to avoid logistical complications. Parate said, “I urge students to report at least 45 minutes before the exam time so that they can occupy their respective seat well in advance. Also, it is imperative that students bring a photo ID, preferably issued by the government, along with their admit card. There will be no entry without admit card.”
In the combined exam, students appearing for medical part far outnumber their engineering counterparts. Parate said, “About 8,000 students are appearing for the maths paper, while remaining will be for biology.” This shows how lopsided the career option scales are. Another reason for this low registration in maths paper could be that a lot of students have already appeared for CBSE-conducted Joint Entrance Exam (JEE Main), which also is the first step for IIT admissions. TOI had reported last week that even in April’s JEE Main, student registrations scaled a new record with over 32,000 aspirants applying.
Gulabrao Thakre, joint director for technical education (Nagpur division), said, “I want students to concentrate on state’s entrance exam as it will have a better preference in the 15% All India quota as compared to JEE score in allotment.”
Statistics apart, medical aspirants are only worried about what lies in store for them. If at all Supreme Court rejects Maharashtra government’s plea to allow MHT-CET for another two years, then their hard work would come to a naught. Ashlesha Ganorkar, a student said, “Right now, I have no idea what will I do if the SC declares MHT-CET as invalid. I prepared more for tomorrow’s exam as I am from the state board.”
Sanket Pawar, another student said, “As students, we cannot do anything regarding this. In this situation, I am a swinging pendulum. Being a state board student, I prepared better for MHT-CET."
Radha Bhandarkar, another student, said, “Whatever the SC decides, we will have to follow their instructions as we don’t have any other option. I think the authorities should give every student an opportunity to appear for NEET phase-2 scheduled for July 24, regardless of whether they appeared in Phase-1 or not.” Sejal Kale, another student said, “I find MH-CET easier as I am from the state board and I think the authorities should take such decisions well in advance rather than surprise us at last minute.”