Patna University is planning to introduce a common entrance test for admission to vocational courses for the academic session starting 2014.

The decision was taken on Thursday at a meeting of the college principals with Patna University vice-chancellor U.K. Sinha.

Sources said the administration had wished to introduce the new system for admission from the 2013 academic session. The idea, however, met with stiff opposition from the principals who insisted on an ordinance to implement the rule.

The university’s move aims at easing the burden on students during the admission process. At present, they have to apply separately for the vocational courses in different colleges.

A majority of the college principals present at the meeting urged Sinha to first prepare an admission ordinance for vocational studies. They called for the ordinance to be approved by the university bodies — academic council, senate, syndicate — and finally the Raj Bhavan before introducing the new system for admission to vocational courses at Patna University colleges.

To prepare the admission ordinance for the vocational courses, the university has constituted a three-member committee, comprising Amarendra Mishra (head of department, statistics, Patna University), Patna College principal Rash Bihari Prasad Singh and Jayanti Sircar economics teacher, Patna College.

The committee would work on the modalities of fixing a uniform fee structure, syllabus and the method of conducting the entrance test for the vocational studies. Once the ordinance is passed by the chancellor of the state universities (the governor), it would be notified for implementation.

Sinha, the acting vice-chancellor, said: “The common entrance test in vocational studies for students aims to lessen the burden on them. The students would not have to fill separate admission forms for the same courses being offered by different colleges under the varsity.”

Patna University runs at least 50 vocational courses but a majority of them lack the necessary infrastructure.

Under the proposed system, students interested in pursuing bachelor of computer applications, bachelor of business administration (BBA), bachelor of biotechnology and other courses, being run in the different colleges under the varsity, would have to submit a single admission form.

For instance, a candidate wishing to study BBA has to submit one form for the course offered at Patna Women’s College, Magadh Mahila College, BN College and Patna College. Based on the results of the common entrance test and the students’ preference for colleges, a merit list would be prepared for admission.

Not only would the move ease the burden on students, it would be cost-effective too, as candidates would have to buy only one admission form.

Rajeev Ranjan, a second-year BBA student, had applied to BN College and Patna College. He finally chose to take admission in Patna College. On Thursday he said: “The new step will be helpful to students as they would not have to file separate admission forms for studying BBA in different colleges.”

Piyush Aranya, a Class XI student of St Anne’s High School, Patna City, said: “It is good that Patna University will introduce a single entrance test for vocational studies. If I choose to pursue vocational courses, I would not have to apply separately for the same course in different colleges.”