The Film and Television Institute of India Students’ Association (FTIISA) has called for the immediate suspension of the institute’s ongoing admission process. The students’ body cites significant irregularities in the revised merit list, issued on October 24 , for the upcoming academic year.
Merit List Controversy Unfolds
The controversy began after a reserved category candidate objected to the initial merit list, published on October 17 . Following this complaint, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) released a revised list on October 24. The institute stated a review found “calculation-related discrepancies” in the previous version, according to Hindustan Times. This acknowledgment pointed to errors in the initial evaluation.
The corrected list retained all previously selected candidates. It also added seven new names as a “one-time measure,” increasing the total number of eligible students. FTII subsequently made the marks of all selected candidates public.
Allegations of Lapses and Seat Changes
FTIISA questioned the fundamental changes in the revised merit list. The association alleges serious lapses in the evaluation process and proper reservation implementation. They specifically objected to an unexpected increase in seats for the MFA (Screen Acting) course, which saw its intake rise from 16 to 23. This 44% increase was attributed by FTII solely to a “clerical error.”
Reservation Ratio Exceeds Legal Limit
A critical point of contention is the revised merit list’s altered reservation distribution. This new distribution, as reported by Hindustan Times, directly violates the 50% reservation limit mandated by the Supreme Court’s 2021 order for educational institutions in Maharashtra.
| Category | Revised Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Other Backward Class–Non Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 30% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 17.39% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 8.7% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 4.35% |
| General Category | 39.17% |
The combined reservation for OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, and ST categories in the revised list totals 60.44%. This figure significantly surpasses the legal 50% cap, potentially impacting fairness in admissions.
FTII Addresses Discrepancies
A senior FTII official provided an explanation for the changes to Hindustan Times. The official stated that some marks from the acting section were inadvertently missing during the initial evaluation. This omission led to five additional candidates being found eligible after a thorough review of the original scores.
“The Governing Council advised us to resolve the issue with minimum disruption,” the official said, explaining the decision. “Therefore, we retained the earlier selections and added the missed eligible candidates to avoid disadvantaging previously selected students.”
Students Demand Immediate Reforms
FTIISA has presented specific, urgent demands to the institute to rectify the situation and prevent future issues:
- Halt the ongoing admission process for the current academic year.
- Publish detailed, stage-wise marks for all applicants to ensure transparency.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing reservation framework and its implementation.
- Include student representatives and members of the SC/ST cell in any reform committee established for this purpose.
- Ensure student representation in the FTII Executive Council for better oversight.
Concerns Over Inconsistent Exam Format
The association also highlighted longstanding concerns regarding the entrance examination itself. FTIISA stated the exam notoriously lacks a consistent format and schedule, changing frequently. They noted new rules are often introduced annually without prior notice to candidates, creating uncertainty.
This year’s exam adopted a two-stage process. Stage 1 included objective and descriptive papers. Stage 2 was a mixed-format exam, carrying a significant 70% weightage of the final score. Notably, this was the first time since 2019 that the entire examination was conducted offline.
Next Steps for FTIISA
The students’ association plans to meet formally with the FTII director on Monday. They will submit their comprehensive complaints regarding the admission process, the merit list, and structural issues, seeking an immediate and transparent resolution.