Students collect admission forms at Patna Women’s College. Telegraph picture

Patna, June 19: If the cent- per-cent marks demand by Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), New Delhi, is “unreasonable”, the cut-off list at premier Patna University colleges is threatening to be on a par, thanks to the reduced number of seats in the institutes.

This year, the Patna University administration has decided to take admission on less number of seats as compared to the previous year, following the instructions issued by state human resource development department.

The reduction in number of seats was decided in 2010 only, but before the HRD circular could reach the varsity, admission process had begun in many colleges.

According to the new guidelines, Patna College is going to take admission on 400 seats, 200 less than the number of admissions last year. Similarly, the number of seats in Patna Science College has come down from 450 to 300 seats.

The cut-off list in many colleges under Patna University has remained almost the same for the past few years. The cut-off list in Patna Science College in 2006 in general category was 81 per cent. This increased just a little bit to 82 per cent in 2010.

The reduction in seats is going to increase the problem for students as teachers believe the cut-off list in many colleges will go up this year.

Professor Randhir Kumar Singh, the admission in-charge at Patna College, said: “The reduction in seats will lead to an increase in the cut-off list this year. Last year, the cut-off for admission in BA first year was around 72 per cent. This year it is going to go above 76 per cent.”

Patna College is considered to be one of best colleges in Bihar in Arts stream, drawing students from far-flung areas. The reduction in seats will make the admission process more competitive for the aspirants.

KK Maltiyar, the principal of BN College, however, feels other way round. Maltiyar said: “In recent years, it has been found that there is huge demands for vocational courses among students and hence, many times, seats are not even filled in many general courses.”

Though students from Bihar have performed better in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the intermediate exams, with much higher scores, admission into big universities remain a big hurdle because of high cut-offs.

SRCC of Delhi University has fixed 100 per cent as the cut-off for BCom (honours) course for aspirants from non-commerce streams, inviting protests not only from students’ bodies but also Union minister Kapil Sibal.

None of the students from Bihar, either from CBSE or intermediate courses, have scored 100 per cent marks.