From the next academic session, admission to Patna University’s constituent colleges would be economical and hassle-free with the introduction of centralised admission process in undergraduate courses.

Under the new system, students would not have to apply separately in different colleges. One online application with preference of colleges would serve the purpose. Better even, they would have to pay for forms just once — at the college they take admission in. (See graphics)

Patna University dean of students’ welfare Ezaj Ali Arshad said: “We are planning to introduce the centralised admission process in undergraduate courses in all the colleges from the next session.”

Arshad said the basic idea behind the new mechanism is to make students’ job easier and to save their money. An application form is being prepared where students would be asked to rank colleges according to their preference.

The new admission system would also be implemented in vocational courses. The detailed admission schedule would be uploaded on the university's website on May 6.

Till the current academic session, students had to apply separately in different colleges. They had to buy forms for each college and stand in queues for submitting them, wasting time and money.

Under the centralised admission process, one form would be enough for applying in different colleges. Online admission forms will be available on Patna University’s website www.patnauniversity.ac.in. The applicants will have to fill up forms giving preference of colleges and submit them online. Alternatively, students can take print outs of the filled up forms and submit them at the varsity counters.

After the last date of applying, there will be centralised counselling of students. Based on students’ marks in the Intermediate (Class XII) examination, each college will prepare its merit list.

After going through the merit lists, students would be able to take admission to the college of their choice collecting its admission form paying the requisite fee.

Till this academic session, taking admission to a college was a Herculean task. Girl students seeking admission to BA used to end up filling up forms in at least three colleges, including Patna Women’s College, Magadh Mahila College and BN College.

Ankita Raj, a BA first-year student of Magadh Mahila College, said: “Last year I had applied in three colleges, spending more than Rs 500.”

Sources said the colleges would be deprived of their earning from the sale of admission forms after the new system is introduced.