Panaji: Goa University has locked horns with the state govt and Forum of Principals and Representatives of Managements of Non-Govt Colleges in Goa to start integrated five-year master’s degree programmes from the academic year 2026-27 without taking prior approval of the state govt.Goa University has decided to admit students passing std XII. The move has witnessed friction between the university and the govt-aided colleges, which fear further decline in enrolment of students to the existing undergraduate courses in the colleges. Forum has been opposing the Goa university move to start the new courses.On Feb 18, 2026, the directorate of higher education instructed the university to ensure that no such programme is introduced without prior approval from the state govt, since this will have a cascading effect and financial burden on govt, direct or indirect. The directorate issued the letter following representation made by secretary of Forum regarding the proposed introduction of integrated UG+PG programmes.“It is imperative that Goa University obtains prior approval from the govt before initiating any new undergraduate integrated programme or new postgraduate programme,”“ additional director of higher education Gervasio Mendes said in a letter to registrar of Goa University. “You are hereby instructed to ensure that no such programme is introduced without prior approval from the govt, since this will have cascading effect and financial burden on govt, direct or indirect,” he said.However, Goa University on Tuesday issued a notification to start nine integrated programmes in various disciplines after the proposal was passed by the Academic Council. Raising concern over the decision of the university, the Forum has written a letter to the Governor on Wednesday and sought his intervention in the matter.“This development appears to be in contravention of the directions conveyed by the additional director of higher education on Feb 18, 2026, addressed to the Registrar, Goa University, wherein the concerns raised by the Forum of Principals were duly acknowledged,” secretary of forum said in a letter to Governor, who is also chancellor of Goa University.The said communication also stated that prior approval of govt is mandatory before initiating any new undergraduate integrated or postgraduate programme. It also highlighted the potential cascading effect of such initiatives, including a significant adverse impact on enrolment in affiliated colleges, many of which already are experiencing declining admission, as well as the resultant financial implications to the govt.The forum has requested the chancellor to reconsider the implementation of integrated UG+PG programme and not to permit Goa University to commence it in the academic year 2026-27 in the larger interest of sustaining affiliated colleges and ensuring balanced development of higher education in Goa.In its notification, Goa University has invited applications from the students for the programmes from April 28, 2026, to May 10, 2026. For each integrated course, 15 seats are for candidates who have passed in Goa, while 35 seats are for students passing Class 12 from other states. University may decide to revise the seats. Annual tuition fee is Rs 40,000 for Goan student, while it is Rs 50,000 for students from other states.
