Mumbai University Allows Renaming of BMS Courses as BCom (Management) - Here's why

The University of Mumbai has allowed its affiliated colleges to rename their Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) course to Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Management Studies. This decision was taken by colleges to avoid the rules of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

AICTE is the national organisation that oversees technical degrees, including engineering, pharmacy, and management. Earlier this year, AICTE designated BMS, along with Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA), as professional degrees. This requires colleges offering these programmes to obtain AICTE approval.

This means colleges have to choose between changing the name of their BMS programme to BCom (Management Studies) or obtaining AICTE recognition to keep the current name.

Most colleges affiliated with Mumbai University with BMS programmes have opted for the name change. As a result, admissions to these programmes will be based more on Class 12 grades than on Common Entrance Test (CET) results.

Some colleges have already sought AICTE certification. However, many are hesitant due to concerns about meeting AICTE standards, which they believe might be financially unfeasible.

As per reports, 167 of the 460+ MU colleges offering BMS degrees have applied for AICTE accreditation. The remaining colleges are expected to pursue the name change. Nationwide, 3,970 institutions have received AICTE recognition to offer BBA, BCA, and BMS programmes.

Certain colleges have decided to place some of their BMS divisions under AICTE rules while keeping others outside its purview. For example, Lala Lajpatrai College of Commerce and Economics will offer both BCom (Management Studies) and AICTE-recognised BMS programmes. 

In the upcoming 2024–2025 academic year, there will be a distinct admissions process for these courses. Students can apply directly to colleges for the renamed BCom courses.

But, for admission to BMS, BBA, and BCA programmes, they must pass the state-level Common Entrance Exam, scheduled for May 29. Up to 56,790 applicants across the state have registered for the exam.

As far as Maharashtra is concerned, most state universities offering BMS degrees have chosen to rename their programmes to avoid losing AICTE clearance. However, KC College and HR College, affiliated with HSNC University, have opted to continue offering the BMS programme.