MUMBAI: With about 50% of undergraduate homeopathy seats and several postgraduate seats remaining vacant, the Principals Association of Homeopathic Medical Colleges of Maharashtra has urged the Union AYUSH ministry to lower the qualifying percentiles for the 2026 admission season. The association has argued that the existing cut-offs are preventing aspiring students from securing admission despite seats being available.In a representation to Union minister of state for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav, the association has sought relaxation in qualifying criteria for Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) and MD (Homeopathy) admissions for 2026-27. It has also requested that the relaxation be extended to subsequent and special stray vacancy rounds.The current NEET-UG qualifying cut-offs are 213 for the open category and 177 for reserved categories. For postgraduate admissions, the corresponding cut-offs are 136 and 119. Principals said seats are lying vacant even in government colleges and aided institutions. “An increase in MBBS and dental seats has affected our admission numbers too,” said Dr Dharmendra Sharma, president of the association.The association has warned that vacant seats are affecting the financial sustainability of homeopathic colleges, which must meet substantial recurring expenditure on faculty salaries, hospital operations, laboratories and compliance with National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) norms, irrespective of student intake.Several institutions, it said, are facing financial stress, delays in salary payments and difficulties retaining experienced faculty. Prolonged vacancies could threaten the functioning and, in some cases, survival of colleges.Dr Tarkeshwar Jain, NCH president, said, “The demand to reduce cut-offs is premature as several states are in the midst of their admission process and a decision cannot be taken right now.”Citing relaxations considered in other medical streams, including MBBS and BDS, to address vacant seats, the association has sought similar consideration for homeopathy without compromising basic eligibility or institutional standards.The principals’ association has called for a long-term admission policy that takes into account student demand, vacant seats and institutional viability, arguing that the issue affects not just colleges but also students, employees and communities dependent on their healthcare services.
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