Maharashtra's B.Sc Nursing Admissions Reveal Stark Disparity Between Government and Private Institutions
The conclusion of B.Sc. Nursing admissions for the academic year 2025–26 by the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has exposed a significant crisis in the state's nursing education sector. A shocking development emerged as seven private nursing colleges recorded zero admissions, highlighting deep-seated issues in the system.
Geographical Distribution of Zero-Admission Colleges
These seven institutions are spread across multiple districts, indicating that the problem is not localized. Three colleges are from Beed, while one each is from Nanded, Nashik, Yavatmal, and Thane. This geographical spread suggests systemic challenges affecting private nursing education across Maharashtra.
Widespread Vacancies Across Private Institutions
The situation extends beyond these seven colleges. Thirty-three additional private nursing colleges reported less than ten admissions each, with some institutions admitting just one or two students. This paints a picture of widespread under-enrollment in the private nursing education sector.
Alarming Vacancy Statistics
Out of the total 16,530 available B.Sc. Nursing seats in Maharashtra, only 10,957 were filled, leaving a staggering 5,573 seats vacant. The distribution of these vacancies reveals a clear pattern: 5,567 of these empty seats are in private colleges, while government institutions maintained near-full occupancy.
Currently, Maharashtra has 294 colleges offering B.Sc. Nursing courses. Of these, only 17 are government-run institutions with a total capacity of 1,180 seats. These government colleges achieved 1,174 confirmed admissions, leaving just six seats vacant. In stark contrast, the 277 private nursing colleges with a total capacity of 15,350 seats managed to fill only 9,783 seats, resulting in 5,563 vacancies.
Relaxed Eligibility Criteria Fails to Boost Admissions
Experts have pointed out that this situation persists despite the relaxation of eligibility criteria. Under revised rules, all candidates who appeared for the Nursing CET were allowed to apply for admission, regardless of whether they achieved the previously mandatory 50 percentile score. However, private colleges have argued that this relaxation came too late in the admissions process, rendering it ineffective.
Private Colleges Respond to the Crisis
A principal of a well-known private nursing college, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "This situation puts private nursing colleges in a bad light. However, several private institutions have recorded considerable admissions." College representatives argue that instead of blaming private institutions, there is an urgent need for timely regulation in granting approvals for new colleges.
Calls for Regulatory Intervention
Maharashtra Nursing Council President Dr. Ramling Mali emphasized the need for a cap on new college approvals. He explained, "In nursing education, approvals for new colleges are often granted very late, which delays the start of admissions. As a result, students opt for alternative courses. The government must introduce timely regulations for new college approvals and set a clear deadline for completing admissions."
The admissions data has highlighted the urgent need to regulate the proliferation of private nursing colleges in Maharashtra. The stark contrast between government and private institution performance suggests structural issues that require immediate attention from educational authorities and policymakers.
