Mumbai University Sees Record 8 Lakh+ UG Applications For 2025–26 Amid Policy Relaxation And NEP Rollout

The University of Mumbai (MU) has recorded a surge in undergraduate admission activity this year, receiving a total of 8,09,353 applications from 2,52,923 students for first-year degree courses in the academic year 2025–2026. 

This figure marks an increase from the previous year, when around 7.6 lakh applications were received from 2.3 lakh students. The rise is attributed in part to the Maharashtra government’s decision to allow non-accredited colleges to participate in the admission process this year, following a temporary relaxation in policy.

The pre-admission online registration process, which began on May 8, witnessed an enthusiastic response from students across the state. The first merit list is scheduled to be released by affiliated and autonomous colleges today at 5:00 PM. The entire process is being conducted in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Government of Maharashtra’s resolution dated April 20, 2023, which mandates the inclusion of three-year undergraduate degrees, four-year honours and honours with research programmes, and integrated five-year courses with multiple entry and exit points.

Among the most sought-after courses, Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) remains at the top with 1,51,902 applications, followed by B.Com in Accounting and Finance, which received 1,13,392 applications. Bachelor of Arts saw 83,630 applications, while the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology registered 86,976 applications, and B.Sc. in Computer Science attracted 67,423. B.Com in Management Studies drew 54,238 applications, and the traditional B.Sc. programme received 34,987 applications.

Programmes in newer, technology-oriented disciplines are also gaining ground. The university received 26,416 applications for the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication, 22,200 for B.Com in Banking and Insurance, and 28,423 for B.Com in Financial Markets. The B.Sc. in Biotechnology programme attracted 22,578 applicants, while B.Sc. in Data Science saw 15,230. Additionally, there were 7,163 applications for the B.Sc. in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, 6,120 for B.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence, and 7,357 for B.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The newer Cloud Technology and Information Security course received 1,065 applications.

Dr Pooja Raundale, Director of the Board of Examinations and Evaluation, emphasised the importance of colleges following the officially issued admission schedule. “Colleges must implement the admission process in accordance with their sanctioned intake capacity, reservation policies, and course-specific eligibility norms,” she said. She reiterated that all procedures must align with the frameworks laid out by the University Grants Commission, the Government of Maharashtra, and MU.