Maharashtra Govt Introduces ‘Carry On’ Facility for Engineering Students in 2024-25: Major Relief for Those with Backlogs
Maharashtra Govt Introduces ‘Carry On’ Facility for Engineering Students in 2024-25: Major Relief for Those with Backlogs
In a significant move to support engineering students facing academic backlogs, the Maharashtra government has implemented the ‘Carry On’ facility for the 2024-25 academic year. The decision, announced through a government resolution (GR) issued on Monday, ensures uniformity across universities under the Higher and Technical Education Department.
Key Highlights of the ‘Carry On’ Policy
- Students who failed the first year can now progress directly to the third year (5th semester).
- Students with second-year backlogs can advance to the fourth year (7th semester).
- Eligibility will be based on winter session 2024-25 results, not summer 2023-24.
- The facility will be implemented only for the 2024-25 academic year and will not extend further.
A Victory for Student Protests
The decision comes after persistent demands from student organizations, Senate members, and public representatives for a uniform policy across Maharashtra’s universities. Earlier, disparities existed, as some universities had already introduced the provision while others had not.
Engineering students of Mumbai University (MU) had staged protests at the Kalina campus, urging the authorities to introduce the facility. “This decision is a huge relief. Many of us were worried about losing a year due to backlogs. Now, we have a chance to move forward,” said a student from MU.
Examination and Compliance
- Students availing of this provision must clear pending coursework from previous semesters.
- They will be required to submit an undertaking to their respective institutions.
- Exams for these students will be conducted alongside the summer semester examination.
- Universities that have already granted the facility for 2024-25 are exempt from this directive.
The Maharashtra government clarified that the provision falls under the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016, and the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University Act, 2014. While welcomed as a relief measure, the government has maintained that this is an exceptional provision and will not be continued beyond 2024-25.
