Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University has shortlisted 200 and odd students for its convocation ceremony next week.

A total of 203 students from the 2012 and 2013 batches and also PhD holders would get their degrees and medals at the university's convocation scheduled for November 13 at Langat Singh College.

Proctor Ajay Shrivastava said: 'At least 350 students had applied for taking part in the convocation ceremony and receiving their degrees from the dignitaries. A careful scrutiny of the applications later, the university decided to provide the opportunity to only 203 applicants who did well in their respective years.'

Governor D.Y. Patil, also the chancellor of the state universities, would grace the occasion. Education minister Brishen Patel would be the guest of honour. Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, originally from Muzaffarpur, has also given consent to attend the function.

Development officer Kalyan Kumar Jha said the number of participants at the convocation has been fixed at 203 so that there is no unnecessary crowd at the venue.

As several VIPs would come for the function, the district administration is at work making elaborate security arrangements for the ceremony at Langat Singh College.

District magistrate Anupam Kumar inspected the college premises on Friday with senior police officers to assess the security arrangements.

He told The Telegraph: 'The premises and administrative building of the college would be cordoned off and only people with valid permission would be allowed to enter the venue. Security personnel would be deployed on rooftops of adjoining buildings to keep watch on the proceedings and closed-circuit television cameras would be placed at strategic points for surveillance. Doorframe metal detectors would also be installed at entry points.'

Anupam has also directed Muzaffarpur senior superintendent of police Ranjit Kumar Mishra to set up a safe room at the college where a special team would be deputed to handle emergencies.

While the district administration is ensuring that the ceremony goes without a hitch, the university has directed the 203 students to maintain decorum at the event. Among the students to be honoured are those who have excelled in their respective examinations and cleared PhDs.