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Patna University (PU) is gearing up to hold entrance examination for admission to undergraduate courses despite the education department’s claim that the varsity had not taken its permission for the test.
The allegation has not deterred the PU from selling admission forms for the entrance test.
The teachers’ fraternity has been discussing whether the issue would jeopardise the entrance examination process or not.
Education department secretary S. Shiv Kumar said: “The state education department has not received any letter from Patna University seeking permission for holding the test. The Patna University Act mandates that the university takes permission from the state government for starting new courses or holding entrance tests.”
Shiv Kumar, however, added that it was a good move by the university aimed at screening students. He said once the letter comes, the department would give its consent.
The university administration announced admission of students in undergraduate courses at PU colleges on the basis of entrance test and not the marks obtained in the Intermediate (Plus II) examination — the clause that was approved by the varsity academic council and syndicate before being sent to the chancellor for approval.
PU vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh said: “I sent the letters seeking permission for holding the entrance test both to the chancellor’s office and the state government. I don’t have the idea why the letter has not reached the education department office.” The VC added that he has not received any information from the state education department office on the issue.
The entrance in arts, science and commerce streams will be held in different colleges on different dates. The entrance test would be held between July 2 and July 7 for admission to Patna College, Patna Science College, Vanijya Mahavidyalaya, BN College, Magadh Mahila College and Patna Women’s College. The decision to conduct exams on different dates will allow students to apply in more than one college. But the entrance test for all the courses in one college would be held on the same date.
Meanwhile, principals of most colleges under PU are gearing up for holding the entrance test.
Patna University students’ welfare dean Ejaz Ali Arshad said: “With the ordnance approved by the chancellor’s office, college principals have started setting question papers for holding the entrance test.”
The examination will be held on optical mark recognition sheets carrying 100 questions of one mark each. Arshad added: “The sale of admission forms in colleges in the last few days has gone up after the Intermediate arts and commerce results were announced.”
Ekta Verma, a student seeking admission to Magadh Mahila College, said: “I don’t know whether the university has taken permission or not from the state government for holding the test.”
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