The uncertainty over appointment of vice-chancellor (VC) in Patna University would cost postgraduation students dear, as the final-year examinations have been delayed by over a month.

After the Supreme Court stayed the appointments of six VCs in the state universities on March 18, along with Patna University VC Shambhu Nath Singh, the fate of the postgraduate students are hanging in the balance.

According to a schedule announced this week, the final-year postgraduation examinations will start on April 24 and it will conclude on May 17.

Students believe since the examinations are starting late this year, it would automatically delay the results. In such a situation, the students are likely to face problems in applying for higher studies in other universities.

Unlike this year, the final-year postgraduation examinations in Patna University usually start in the third week of March and by May-end the results, too, are declared.

Jayshree, a final-year postgraduate history student at Darbhanga House, said: “Last year the final-year postgraduation examinations had commenced in the third week of March. By April second week, the examinations were over and the results were declared by May.”

She added that the delay in conducting examination would hamper their planning for higher studies in other states.

“The admission process in premier institutions like Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) starts in June. Under the present situation, if the results are delayed in Patna University, many would lose the opportunity to apply to other universities,” Jayshree said.

Vidhyanand, a postgraduate history student at Patna University, believes his chances of aiming for admission in BHU has been narrowed down because of the Patna University’s decision to conduct the examination late.

“I was planning to do research from the BHU. However, its admission process starts in June. If the PU results are delayed, my chances of applying in the BHU is less,” he said.

On the other hand, the PU administration is confident that though the final-year postgraduation examinations are taking off late this year, the results would be declared at a convenient time for the students.

PU examination controller K.N. Paswan said: “We are sure that the results will be declared by June first week.” He, however, refused to disclose on how the PU intends to declare the results on time.

The Supreme Court on March 18 had stayed the appointment of six vice-chancellors and four pro-vice-chancellors made by outgoing Governor Devanand Konwar despite the state government’s objection against some of the appointees allegedly having tainted track records.