To give more students a chance to opt for Diploma in Arts courses, Maharashtra State Art Education Board has proposed some changes in the course and in admission eligibility. Till now, students with Intermediate Drawing exam only got admissions as per their grades. Now, the students who have not cleared Intermediate (Drawing) will become eligible for the admissions to the Diploma in Arts courses. On condition of anonymity, an official in Arts Department told ‘The Hitavada’, “These are very positive changes. Due to certain conditions, many students were not eligible for joining these courses. Now, the eligibility condition has been relaxed. Of course those who have done Intermediate too will be benefitted as they would get marks as per the grades they have achieved in that examination. They will be on top in the list of merit students. Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil is also considering relaxing the conditions so that the students, after completion of Diploma, can get admission directly in second year of Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).”

 

 

The curriculum being implemented by the Maharashtra State Board of Art Education has not been revised since 1977. Also, the rules of the duration and eligibility for admission of the said courses are 50 years old. Students are not getting sufficient opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. It has led to not many students taking up Art Diploma courses. It was thought at the Government level if the duration and eligibility for admission of the curriculum offered by the Maharashtra State Board of Art Education are changed, job and entrepreneurship opportunities will be available to the students. It was necessary to change the curriculum and duration as per the New Education Policy-2020. The matter of changing the duration and qualification of the Art diploma courses proposed by the Maharashtra State Board of Art Education and the Director, Directorate of Arts and approving the commencement of the admission process from the academic year 2025-2026 as per the said qualification, was under consideration of the Board. Accordingly, State Board of Art Education introduced some changes.

 

Approval is being given to change the duration and qualification for admission to the Diploma in Art courses of the Maharashtra State Board of Art Education and also, to start the admission process from the academic year 2025-2026 as per the new qualification. The eligibility for admission to the Art Teacher diploma course is 12th pass. The eligibility for admission to the Basic Course is 10th pass. Also, the name of the Foundation Course is being changed as Foundation Course - Duration 1 year - Foundation Certificate in Art and Design - Duration 1 year (2 semesters) There has been no change in the duration and eligibility for admission of the courses, Diploma in Art Education and Art Master’s Certificate - Part Time / Vacation.