Former Pune University Members Allege Massive Rs 699 Crore CET Tender Cartel
Former senate members of Savitribai Phule Pune University have leveled serious allegations against the state Common Entrance Test (CET) cell, accusing it of awarding contracts worth a staggering Rs 699 crore between 2021 and 2025 to a cluster of interconnected IT firms through what they describe as a tender cartel arrangement.
Allegations of Systematic Favoritism and False Competition
Dhananjay Kulkarni and Shashank Mahajan, the former senate members who brought these allegations to light on Tuesday, claim that six firms belonging to the same corporate group repeatedly secured crucial contracts related to CET exam operations. These contracts covered essential services including conducting entrance examinations, organizing mock tests, setting up test centers, training manpower, and managing the Centralised Admission Process (CAP).
Kulkarni presented detailed allegations suggesting that firms from the same group were deliberately presented as rival bidders to create a false impression of healthy competition. Furthermore, he claimed that tender eligibility criteria were allegedly framed in such a manner that they effectively excluded other potential bidders from participating in the procurement process.
"This amounts to a clear tender cartel," Kulkarni stated emphatically. "All contracts awarded to these interconnected firms should be cancelled immediately. A detailed probe into transactions from 2021 to 2025 must be conducted without delay. Criminal action should be taken against those responsible, and the firms involved should be permanently blacklisted from future government contracts."
Official Denial and Defense of Procurement Process
In response to these serious allegations, state CET cell commissioner Dilip Sardesai issued an official statement categorically denying the claims as baseless. He asserted that all contracts were awarded strictly according to prescribed norms and established procedures.
"A prescribed tender process was meticulously followed for conducting entrance examinations for professional courses, declaring results, and carrying out the admission process," Sardesai stated. "The work was awarded exclusively to firms selected through this transparent and regulated process."
The commissioner further emphasized that the CET cell is currently conducting entrance examinations for 17 different professional courses, with exams scheduled between March 24 and May 16. He assured that results would be declared on schedule and admissions would be completed within stipulated timelines.
History of Complaints and Escalation to Higher Authorities
Kulkarni revealed that similar complaints had been raised previously, including twice in 2023, but no substantive action was taken by authorities. Frustrated by this lack of response, the former senate members have now submitted a fresh complaint supported by what they describe as comprehensive evidence directly to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The timing of these allegations is particularly significant as the CET cell manages admissions for numerous professional courses across Maharashtra. For certain specialized courses, admission schedules are guided by national regulatory bodies including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC).
Sardesai reiterated in his statement that all admissions are conducted strictly according to guidelines established by these national regulatory bodies, maintaining that procedural integrity has been preserved throughout the contracting and examination processes.
The allegations have sparked concerns about transparency in government contracting processes, particularly for high-stakes educational admissions affecting thousands of students annually across Maharashtra. The former senate members' call for immediate cancellation of contracts and a comprehensive investigation presents a significant challenge to the state CET cell's procurement practices and oversight mechanisms.
