CET Cell Allowing Graduates from Distance Universities to Apply for Law Courses

The CET Cell has taken a progressive step by allowing graduates from distance universities to apply for admission to law courses.

CET Cell Allowing Graduates from Distance Universities to Apply for 3-Year LL.B Law Courses

The CET Cell has taken a progressive step by allowing graduates from distance universities to apply for admission to law courses. The CET Cell based in Mumbai has declared that graduates of open and distance learning programs can now apply for the three-year LLB course. 

This development followed a legal challenge in the Bombay High Court against the prior policy, which limited admissions to students with conventional, on-campus degrees. The decision has received praise from both students and advocates for law education.

The CET Cell, overseeing the CET and Centralized Admission Process for the three-year law course, has removed the obstacle that previously restricted graduates from open universities from engaging in the admission process. This decision comes in response to petitions filed in the Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad Bench, with the court's order in 2021 playing a pivotal role in reshaping the eligibility criteria.

What is MAH CET Cell?

The MAH CET Cell, or the Common Entrance Test Cell, in Mumbai is an authoritative body established by the Government of Maharashtra. It is responsible for conducting various Common Entrance Tests (CETs) for admissions to professional courses in the state. These courses include engineering, pharmacy, management, law, and education among others.

The primary purpose of the CET Cell is to streamline the admissions process for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Maharashtra, ensuring a fair, transparent, and merit-based selection process. 

The tests conducted by the CET Cell are crucial for students aspiring to join professional courses in Maharashtra's institutions. Some of the key entrance exams conducted by the CET Cell include:

• MAH-MBA/MMS CET: For admission to MBA/MMS programs.
• MAH-MCA CET: For admission to MCA programs.
• MAH-B.Ed. CET: For admission to Bachelor of Education programs.
• MAH-LLB CET: For admission to undergraduate law programs (5-year and 3-year courses).
• MHT-CET: For admission to engineering and pharmacy undergraduate courses.

The CET Cell operates under the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra, and its official website provides all relevant information regarding the exams, including notifications, application forms, exam dates, syllabi, and results.

Vishnu Rambhhaji Harishchandre vs Bar Council Of India

Vishnu Harishchandre, hailing from Aurangabad, played a crucial role in this legal challenge by filing a writ petition in 2021. After earning his bachelor's degree in commerce from Yashwantrao Chavan Open University, Nashik, in 2008.

Harishchandre encountered an obstacle when his application for admission to a law college in Aurangabad was denied. This rejection was based on rule 5 of the Bar Council of India, which at the time disqualified candidates holding degrees obtained through distance learning.

In denying Harishchandre's application, the college noted his educational journey began with completing the Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C.) in 1992 through the State Board, followed by advancing to class 11 in 1993. 

Despite enrolling for the 12th Standard in the Faculty of Arts, Harishchandre encountered challenges in passing the exam. In a turn towards alternative education paths, he enrolled in a preparatory course for degree education at Yashwantrao Chavan Open University, Nashik (YCMOU) in 2005, culminating in earning a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree in 2008. 

The college, however, considered his educational trajectory unconventional. Harishchandre's legal challenge led to a pivotal court ruling, affirming that excluding students who earned degrees through open universities was indefensible. This judgement echoed the outcomes of similar cases in 2018 and 2019, where students contested the admissions criteria and ultimately gained admission to law colleges, setting a significant precedent.

Read the Judgement: Vishnu Rambhhaji Harishchandre vs Bar Council Of India

Source: Hindustan Times