Mumbai, July 3, 2025 : After a summer marked by delays and academic uncertainty, junior colleges in Mumbai are set to reopen by mid-July, with offline lectures resuming at 50% student capacity. The decision, announced by the Maharashtra State Board and Directorate of Education, brings clarity for thousands of students awaiting admission into first-year junior college (FYJC) programs across the city.

The academic session will begin in a phased manner, starting with students whose names appear on the first and second merit lists. As per education officials, the first FYJC merit list will be released on or before July 9, followed closely by subsequent rounds. This follows a longer-than-usual wait, as the board needed additional time to process results and applications amid changes in reservation policies and centralized admission systems.

“We aim to start in-person lectures by the third week of July,” said an official from the Deputy Director of Education's office. “To manage crowding and accommodate infrastructural limits, colleges will operate at 50% classroom strength initially. Students will attend on alternate days or shifts, as per schedules decided by individual institutions.”

The FYJC admissions are being conducted via the online centralized admission process (CAP), which includes quota-based admissions (minority, management, and in-house), followed by merit-based general category lists. Due to an increase in applicants this year—particularly from ICSE and CBSE boards—officials are expecting greater competition, especially in popular colleges located in South Mumbai and the western suburbs.

Colleges have welcomed the reopening but raised logistical concerns. “We are happy to resume physical classes, but managing alternate schedules and ensuring all students get fair access to in-person learning will be a challenge,” said Dr. Manisha Desai, principal of a reputed junior college in Dadar. “We’re also considering a hybrid option until full capacity is allowed.”

For students and parents, the reopening is a relief after several weeks of limbo. Many feared further delays would shorten the academic calendar or lead to rushed syllabi. “My daughter completed her SSC exams in March, and we've been waiting since then,” said Priya Bhatia, a parent from Andheri. “The reopening news finally gives us a sense of direction.”

The education department has also instructed colleges to provide orientation sessions for incoming students and to emphasize mental health support and academic counseling, especially for those transitioning from remote learning environments.

To ensure transparency, the government has launched a dedicated FYJC admissions portal where students can track merit lists, document submission dates, and college-wise cutoff scores. Helplines have also been activated to assist students from economically weaker sections and rural backgrounds.

As the city prepares for the return of junior college students, authorities have assured that all safety protocols, sanitization, ventilation, and distancing measures will be in place. With academic calendars now getting back on track, Mumbai’s education machinery is gearing up for a cautiously optimistic start to the 2025–26 academic year.