India, April 7 -- Allegations of large-scale irregularities in the conduct of entrance examinations for professional courses in Maharashtra have surfaced, with former senate member of the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Dhananjay Kulkarni, accusing the state common entrance test (CET) cell of manipulating tender processes to favour a select group of companies.

Addressing a press conference on April 3, Kulkarni alleged that contracts worth nearly Rs.699 crore related to examination management and associated services have been repeatedly awarded to six affiliated firms belonging to a single group. He claimed that tender eligibility criteria were framed in consultation with officials in a manner that ensured only these companies co...