MS University Introduces Entrance Test for Commerce Admissions, Signals Shift in Intake Strategy

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has announced the introduction of an entrance test for admission to its Bachelor of Commerce programme from the 2026–27 academic session, marking a departure from its long-standing reliance on Class 12 marks alone.

Under the revised framework, 75 per cent weightage will be assigned to board examination scores, while the remaining 25 per cent will be based on performance in the newly instituted test. University officials say the move is aimed at improving the quality of intake in one of its most sought-after faculties, where demand has consistently outstripped available seats.

The decision reflects a broader churn within public universities as they seek to balance accessibility with merit in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape. By introducing an additional screening layer, the university appears to be responding to concerns that board marks, varying widely across boards and evaluation systems, do not always offer a uniform basis for comparison.

Alongside the entrance test, the commerce faculty is also planning to expand seat capacity and introduce courses with a stronger vocational orientation. There is a parallel push to tighten attendance norms through technology-enabled monitoring, including biometric systems, in an effort to address concerns over academic engagement.

The changes come at a time when higher education institutions are under pressure to align curricula with employability and industry expectations. While the new admission model may help refine selection, its success will depend on transparent execution and the university’s ability to ensure that the additional test does not become a barrier for students from less-resourced backgrounds.

As universities recalibrate admission processes, the question remains whether such measures will lead to meaningful academic outcomes or simply add another layer to an already complex entry system.