Mumbai University Allows Colleges to Rename BMS as BCom

Mumbai University Allows Colleges to Rename BMS as BCom

MU colleges wishing to continue the BMS programme must get AICTE approval.

The University of Mumbai has allowed its affiliated colleges to rename the Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) programme to Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), according to various media reports. Colleges wanting to keep the old name must get approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) before running the course.

The decision followed the recommendation of the board of deans and approval from the academic and management councils of the university, the reports said. Several colleges requested that MU allow the renaming of professional courses such as BMS, BBA, and BCA to avoid coming under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

Earlier, the university asked all affiliated colleges and recognized institutes to get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from it for starting new BBA, BMS, and BCA courses from the academic year 2024–25. "It is necessary to submit the proposal to the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), and it is also mandatory to submit the Undertaking attached to the said letter to the University," it stated.

MU lets colleges rename BMS to BCom.

MU asked principals of all government, non-government, aided, unaided, permanent unaided postgraduate degrees, degree colleges, and directors of institutions affiliated with the university to submit details regarding meeting the necessary criteria as per AICTE standards to the university.

In January this year, AICTE announced it would regulate colleges and universities offering undergraduate programmes in management and computer applications—BBA, BCA, and BMS programs—from the academic session 2024–25. The decision was made to maintain uniformity and academic standards across these programmes, similar to postgraduate programmes such as MBA and MCA.