Education groups express concern as the slow and unstable online portal continues to disrupt the application process
MUMBAI — The Class XI online admission process in Mumbai has been severely affected due to continuous technical problems on the official portal, leaving students, parents and colleges struggling to complete application forms within the given timeframe. The situation has created widespread inconvenience across the state, especially in the Mumbai division, where thousands of applicants depend on the system for securing admissions.
The Directorate of Education has been forced to issue a revised schedule after repeated complaints about slow website performance, login failures and difficulties in completing application forms. Authorities have also extended deadlines in an attempt to manage the disruption, and confirmed that the first allotment list will now be declared on 29 May.
Despite these adjustments, frustration among applicants continues to grow. Students and parents have reported that the portal frequently crashes, logs users out during the application process, and in some cases erases already filled information. Many have also complained that payment transactions are showing as pending even after money has been deducted from their accounts. Several applicants further claimed that college preference options were not visible, forcing them to restart the process multiple times.
The problem has not been limited to online access alone, as similar chaos was reported outside the Deputy Director’s office at Churchgate, where a large number of parents gathered on Thursday. The crowd continued into Friday as well, with many expressing anger over the repeated delays and lack of clarity regarding the admission process. Some parents said they were instructed to return on another day as the situation had not improved.
A parent waiting outside the office described the experience as exhausting, saying, “We have been trying continuously for two days, but the website either does not open or throws us out again and again. Every time we try to complete the form, something goes wrong.”
The situation has also drawn criticism from education organisations, which say the repeated technical failures are putting unnecessary pressure on students. Concerns have been raised that such disruptions could discourage some students from continuing their studies or completing the admission process on time.
Sushil Sejule, a member of Marathi Abhyas Kendra, said, “This entire process is becoming a headache for students, parents and colleges. The website is not functioning properly and despite repeated attempts, access is not possible. While the government claims to ensure education for all, such troubling processes may discourage many students from continuing their studies. The company assigned this work should be held accountable and action must be taken against it.”
Meanwhile, the revised timetable issued by the Directorate of Education outlines the updated admission schedule. Registration for new students and correction in Part 1 can now be completed until 25 May at 6 am, while Part 2 of the application process will take place between 26 and 28 May, during which students can select up to ten preferred colleges. The first round allotment list is scheduled for release on 29 May at 11 am, followed by document verification and fee payment from 29 May at 12 pm until 3 June at 6 pm. The second round details will be published on 5 June, along with information regarding vacant seats, while the final updated vacancy list will be made available on 6 June at 11 am.
However, despite the revised schedule, uncertainty continues among students and parents, many of whom say they are still unable to complete their applications due to ongoing technical issues. With the admission process entering a crucial stage, stakeholders are now waiting for the system to stabilise so that the process can be completed smoothly without further disruption.
