Mumbai University’s sub-centres in Ratnagiri, Kalyan, and Sindhudurg are facing a critical shortage of students, sparking a debate over the mismanagement of educational resources. Despite being built to bring higher education to rural and suburban areas, these facilities are currently operating significantly below their intended capacity.
The issue took center stage during the Mumbai University Senate meeting on March 14, where members scrutinized the university’s strategic planning and outreach efforts. The data revealed a particularly grim outlook for the Ratnagiri campus:
- 2024–25 Session: Only 10 students enrolled out of a possible 120 seats.
- The Trend: This marks a sharp three-year decline, falling from 53 admissions in 2022–23 to just 13 the following year, before hitting the current low.
The consistent drop in numbers has led to urgent questions regarding whether these multi-million rupee infrastructures are being effectively utilized to serve the student population.
