The revised admit cards will be available to download from January 23 | Representational Image
The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education had initially introduced a “Caste Category” section on the hall tickets for students appearing for the upcoming board examinations. However, in response to widespread criticism, the board has decided to withdraw this decision, bringing significant relief to parents, stakeholders, and education experts. The revised admit cards will be available to download from January 23.
Expressing approval of the board’s reversal, Mahendra Ganpule, former president of the Headmasters Association, commented that the inclusion of caste identity on hall tickets was unnecessary and lacked any clear relevance. He further warned that it risked fostering bias among students. “Revealing caste identity on the hall ticket served no purpose other than to potentially exacerbate divisions,” Ganpule said.
A parent, relieved by the decision, noted that such a move could have led to further segregation and reinforced prejudices. “I felt a sense of ease after hearing that the government reversed its decision. Children from various communities already face discrimination, and displaying their caste would only have aggravated the situation,” she explained.
In response to the backlash, the board had previously issued a clarification, stating that the inclusion was intended to assist students in verifying and correcting personal details. Maharashtra State Board Chairperson Sharad Gosavi explained that once students leave school, changes to records are not allowed, and this step was meant to prevent errors while ensuring access to scholarships and other benefits. He further emphasised that the hall ticket would serve as a reference in case of any future discrepancies.
However, education experts have informed that despite the withdrawal of the caste category, students will still have the opportunity to submit a correction form in their respective schools, accompanied by a fee of Rs. 200, to amend any inaccuracies in their documents.
