Pune: Students may lose the option of choosing their preferred examination district for Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET), with the state CET Cell proposing to allot centres based on the PIN code of their Class XII college. The move follows concerns that some candidates from Pune and Mumbai were opting for distant districts, including Chandrapur, Nandurbar, and Gadchiroli, where examination supervision was suspected to be less stringent, raising questions about possible malpractices.A senior CET Cell official associated with the physics, chemistry, and mathematics (PCM) examinations, said, “The proposed change aims to make the examination process more transparent and ensure a level playing field for students by limiting the scope for candidates to select centres based on perceived differences in supervision. The issue came under scrutiny after candidates at some centres in these districts secured high percentiles in the MHT-CET PCM group this year, triggering allegations of irregularities. Investigations into the matter are underway.”The CET Cell has started preparing a new standard operating procedure (SOP), which is expected to be submitted to the higher and technical education department for approval within a week. Under the proposed system, students will be allotted examination centres in or around the district where they completed their Class XII education, based on their college’s PIN code. The option of selecting a preferred district is likely to be discontinued.The existing system, under which students could indicate their preferred districts, had put pressure on the CET Cell to accommodate their choices. However, because the facility was being misused, an alternative arrangement became necessary to protect students’ interests and preserve the credibility of the examination.“Most students complete their Class XII education at colleges near their homes or within their own districts. Therefore, allotting them examination centres in the district where their college is located is a practical alternative,” the official said.Sunil Mahajan, a junior college teacher in the city, said, “The proposed system could also help students avoid travelling long distances, reducing travel expenses, logistical difficulties, and examination-day stress. At the same time, it would limit the scope for candidates to deliberately choose centres based on the perceived level of supervision.”Students with genuine reasons for seeking a centre outside their college district may be allowed an exception. A senior official of Directorate of Technical Education said, “Candidates who face difficulties with the allotted location will have to approach the CET help centres. In such cases, an alternative centre may be considered in the district corresponding to the PIN code on the student’s Aadhaar card.”Candidates facing medical emergencies may also be considered for an alternative arrangement. However, the decision will rest entirely with the CET Commissioner. The final rules will be determined after the higher and technical education department examines the proposed SOP.
