Jamshedpur, Oct. 28: The implementation of the centralised admission procedure to post-graduate (PG) courses under Ranchi University has sparked a gender debate in the academic circle. It has given an edge to girls over their male counterparts because of a mandatory 5 per cent weightage during admission.

It has also led to confusion in several colleges, including Jamshedpur Co-operative College, Ranchi College and Tata College, Chaibasa, where admission to post-graduate courses has just begun. The rule, if university sources are to be believed, applies only to Jharkhand ? especially Ranchi University.

The strict implementation of the admission procedure has increased the overall intake of girls in almost all the post-graduate departments.

Sources said the Jamshedpur Co-operative College was not aware of the university rule that girls will be given 5 per cent weightage and 15 per cent seats reserved for students from other universities. Principal N.N. Thakur said, ?We were not aware of the rule. This is the first year we are giving five per cent grace to girl students in PG admission.? The PG merit list this year was prepared by the college which was later approved by a four-member admission committee of the university headed by the dean, students welfare (DSW), Victor Tigga.

Ranchi College is also facing a similar problem. Former pro-vice-chancellor and college principal Anand Bhushan said girls were getting an edge over boys in PG admission. ?We cannot help as this is a university norm made to promote higher education among girls,? he said.

College unions and guardians of male students are planning to move the university authorities against what they term a ?unfair practice.?

?My son?s name was on the list prepared by the college. But, after the list was approved by Ranchi University, his name was replaced by that of a girl. Though my son has scored more marks than the girl, he was dropped because of the 5 per cent weightage norm,? said Avinash Kumar, father of a student at Jamshedpur Co-operative College.

District president of National Students? Union of India Rajneesh Kumar Singh said, ?The girls are at an advantage both in women?s colleges and co-education institutions, while the boys are suffering. There is a need to change the existing rules.? Even the university officials admitted that the rule was not followed in letter and spirit earlier. ?The norm was not implemented due to poor awareness. For example, there is a provision of 5 per cent grace on the total marks scored by girl students at the graduation level. But several colleges were adding 5 per cent of total marks instead of the students? aggregate,? said Victor Tigga, dean of students? welfare, Ranchi University.

Pro vice-chancellor A.A Khan said the rule of providing 5 per cent grace to girls has been in vogue since 1970.