The “Gujarat Common Admission Services” (GCAS) portal launched by Rishikesh Patel, Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Government of the Gujarat. This portal marks the country’s first unified platform for the college admission process. Minister of State Shri Prafulbhai Panseria was also present on the occasion.
Minister Shri Rishikesh Patel mentioned that the implementation of NEP-2020 (National Education Policy) in the country has led to the simplification of the admission process. The common portal integrates arts, commerce, science, rural studies, and other disciplines. It will streamline the admission process for over 7.50 lakh students wanting admission in government, aided, and self-supporting colleges affiliated with 14 state universities. The registration fee for admission is Rs. 300, payable online.
This portal not only facilitates admission at the undergraduate level but also for postgraduate and Ph.D. courses, providing a unified admission platform. It aims to alleviate common worries among students, such as choosing a suitable course and navigating through various universities and colleges. The portal helps with quick decision-making by presenting a wide range of opportunities and simplifying the application process.
The GCAS (Gujarat Common Admission Services) portal, available in English and Gujarati, offers easy access to information, enabling all students to apply conveniently.
Key Features of the GCAS Portal:
- Easy document uploads.2. Selection of multiple courses.3. Receipt of notifications regarding the admission process via registered mobile phones and e-mails.4. Autonomy for all universities over the admissions process after student registration.5. Simplification of the admission process, with the admission fee paid only once, providing significant assistance to students and parents.
This portal will be applicable to 14 universities, including Gujarat University, Saurashtra University, Maharaja Sayajirao University-Vadodara, Indian Institute of Teacher Education – IITE, Sri Somnath Sanskrit University, Sardar Patel University, Krantiguru Shyamji Krishnavarma University, Maharaja Krishnakumar Singhji University, Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Sri Guru Gobind University, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, and Children’s University.
The state government, in November of last year, had announced this portal to significantly reduce the duration of undergraduate course admissions in Gujarat. This new system is expected to streamline the admission process, slashing the time required from two months to a mere fortnight.
Under the Gujarat Common Admission Services (GCAS) portal, students will benefit from financial savings, as they will only be required to make a one-time payment for portal registration, eliminating the need to pay fees for application forms from multiple colleges, as is the current practice.
Under the existing system, students typically spend around Rs 500 on admission forms for different colleges.
The shared admission platform will gather student information, generate a consolidated merit list, and assign colleges based on students’ academic scores. Furthermore, students will have the freedom to apply for numerous courses without facing supplementary charges for each application.
Moreover, the the new system is anticipated to bolster security measures and provide real-time data to the state education department throughout the admissions procedure.