Sudarshan, a third-year undergraduate student at Delhi University, is worried that the dates for the Common University Entrance Test-Postgraduate (CUET-PG), scheduled from June 1 to 10, could lead to delays in admission, especially if there are glitches in the computer-based exam.

“Private universities hold their entrance tests in April and May. The CUET-PG entrance exams, scheduled for June, are therefore already delayed. But if there is no further change, admissions can perhaps be held on time,” he said.

He cited how glitches had last year delayed the inaugural CUET-UG — for undergraduate admissions to most central universities — by a month and a half to end-August, pushing the CUET-PG to September.

This delayed the postgraduate admissions in central universities to October-November, cutting into the time available to complete the two-year programmes. The delay also prompted many students eyeing central university seats to play it safe and get admitted to a private university in case they failed to crack the CUET-PG. For many, this eventually turned out to be a hefty, and unnecessary, expenditure.

“If there are glitches in the CUET this year, too, the admission process will be delayed again,” Sudarshan said. “When this happens, teachers and students have less time to cover the syllabus. Learning is affected.”

Before the National Testing Agency (NTA) started conducting the CUETPG from last year, the central universities held their own entrance tests and could choose their time.

The vice-chancellors of two central universities, too, expressed concern at the schedule of the CUET-PG.

“The entrance tests should be held at least four months before the closure of admissions. We close admissions by end-August. If the entrance test results are not available by July 15 the admission process cannot be completed on time,” a vice-chancellor said.

Delhi University — India’s largest university — was not part of the CUETPG last year, with the NTA conducting the Delhi University Entrance Test from October 17 to 21.

The results were declared in November and admissions closed on December 1.

From this year, Delhi University has decided to join the CUET-PG. This means the CUET-PG will have more candidates and more papers, covering all the courses taught in all the central universities.

Rajesh Jha, a faculty member at Rajdhani College under Delhi University, said the university, government and higher education regulator UGC seemed not in the least bothered about bringing the academic calendar back on track.

“Since it is a common entrance test, the volume of applicants will be large because there are so many universities and so many courses. Technical glitches do occur in big exams. The NTA needs to take due care,” Jha said.

PhD entrance

The NTA is set to hold the first common entrance test for PhD admissions at the central universities this year. It had backed out at the last moment last year, delaying the admission process. Most central universities, including JNU, eventually conducted their own PhD entrance test last year, as before.

A faculty source and an administrative official at JNU said the university might not be part of the common PhD entrance test this year. A final decision will be taken soon.