Puducherry's Future at Stake: Parents and Students Demand Urgent Intervention on University Admissions

A palpable sense of anxiety and urgency has gripped Puducherry as parents and student organizations unite to demand immediate intervention from the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister regarding the critical issue of admissions at Puducherry University. The core concern revolves around a potential overhaul of the admission process, which many fear could severely jeopardize the academic future of local students.

Historically, Puducherry University has reserved a significant 25% of its seats in various undergraduate and postgraduate courses specifically for students from the Union Territory, with admissions primarily based on NEET scores for medical-related disciplines.

This system has long been a lifeline, ensuring that bright, deserving local students have a fair chance at higher education within their own region. However, a looming proposal to shift all admissions to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) has ignited widespread alarm across the community.

The Puducherry State Students and Parents’ Welfare Association, a leading voice in this burgeoning movement, recently convened to strategize their appeal.

They have emphatically urged L-G C.P. Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to step in and uphold the existing admission framework. The association argues that introducing CUET would place Puducherry students at a severe disadvantage, forcing them to compete on a national level against a much larger pool of candidates, many of whom come from states with significantly better coaching infrastructure and resources.

During their recent discussions, the association highlighted a critical precedent set by neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, both of which have successfully secured exemptions for their universities from the CUET mandate.

This exemption allows these states to retain their own admission processes, thereby protecting the interests and ensuring ample opportunities for their resident students. The plea from Puducherry is clear: if other states can safeguard their educational autonomy and their students' futures, why can't Puducherry do the same?

The emotional weight of this issue is immense.

Parents express deep concern that their children, who have excelled in the local education system, might be deprived of higher education opportunities in their home territory due to a policy change that doesn't account for unique local circumstances. The association has formally submitted a memorandum detailing their demands, emphasizing the critical need for the administration to consider the long-term ramifications of such a shift on the educational landscape and the aspirations of thousands of young people in Puducherry.

This is not merely an administrative matter; it is a question of fairness, equity, and the educational future of an entire generation in Puducherry.

The community stands united, hoping that their appeals will resonate with the leadership, prompting swift action to protect the established reservation system and ensure that local talent continues to thrive within Puducherry University.