For the first time this year, colleges will allocate three per cent of their seats to students applying through the sports quota and two per cent for cultural quota.
The government had made the announcement in March.
Colleges said while sports quota was a well-established category open to students who have to have excelled in a sport at the district or state level and above, cultural quota remains ambiguous. “Many students suffer because there are not that many cultural competitions whose certificates are accepted for such admissions,” said Dr Madhavi Pethe, principal of ML Dahanukar College.
Parents of ICSE students have challenged the 25 additional marks given only to SSC students for excelling in sports in the Bombay High Court.
Students of all boards can apply for admission through the sports and cultural quota.
A fresh government resolution issued on June 9 stated that students applying through the cultural quota to Class 11 would be able to do so on the basis of certificates from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs for achievement in dance, music, drama and film. It also stated that these students could have excelled in Classes 8, 9, or 10, and not necessarily all three years. Such students are expected take part in the college’s cultural programmes. “These students automatically end up participating in the college’s cultural activities, there is nothing specific we expect them to do,” said Dr Marie Fernandes, principal of St Andrew’s College.
“Usually students getting admission through the sports quota are expected to be a part of the college team,” said a college trustee. “Ideally it only makes sense to apply to a college that has a team for that particular sport.”
{{/usCountry}}“Usually students getting admission through the sports quota are expected to be a part of the college team,” said a college trustee. “Ideally it only makes sense to apply to a college that has a team for that particular sport.”
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