Patna University’s much-hyped online system of admission has failed to take off this academic session (2012-13), which would force students to stand in queues to collect forms as earlier.

The centralised admission process was rejected by many college principals who, sources said, argued that the institutions would have to forego the revenue generated by the sale of forms. The online system was planned to be introduced from the coming academic session.

Patna University (PU) dean of students welfare Ejaz Ali Arshad said: “PU was planning to introduce centralised admission process in which a student had to apply online at the varsity website (www.patnauniversity.ac.in), download a form and submit it at a varsity counter. The scheme will not be introduced as many college principals are opposed to it.”

Arshad added that the principals are opposed to the idea, as it would have take away the revenue generated by respective college administration by selling admission forms. The idea behind the new mechanism was to make life easy for students and save their money.

PU vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh said: “We are not going to introduce centralised online applications as it is not feasible this year. The scheme requires adequate manpower and technology.”

He added: “As we are going to conduct written test in undergraduate courses from the coming academic session, teachers and employees of the university and colleges are working round-the-clock to make it a success. Introducing the centralised online application process from this year would have burdened the teachers and employees. There was limited time, as Patna University’s next academic session will start from August.” Singh, however, added that the centralised online admission process would be implemented from the 2013-14 academic session.

Magadh Mahila College principal Dolly Sinha said: “We were informed about the introduction of the centralised online admission process. Though my college never opposed the idea, it is not feasible at this moment.” She added: “The process requires adequate manpower and technology, which many colleges lack.”

Patna College principal Lalkeshwar Prasad Singh said: “There is severe employee crunch in many colleges of the varsity. Introduction of centralised online admission requires updated technology, but many colleges do not have computer-literate employees.”

A student now has to apply to each college and submit admission forms. Each college will also conduct separate entrance tests starting from July 2 till July 7.

The results will be published in mid-July while classes will start from the first week of August.

Patna College sociology student Rajiv Ranjan said: “When we heard that PU is going to introduce centralised admission process we were happy as it would have saved time and money in submitting forms, but now the scheme is not being implemented. Our juniors will have to face the same problems as us.”