Ranchi, Sept. 10: Ranchi University (RU) will start a second shift from 2.30pm to 4.30pm for both undergraduate and postgraduate students from this academic session at five of its constituent colleges.

The decision was taken at the academic council meeting held at the administrative block near Shaheed Chowk here today.

The meeting, chaired by RU vice chancellor R.K. Pandey and attended by dean of students welfare S.C. Gupta, registrar A.K. Choudhary, among other varsity staff, also decided to increase seats in the five colleges, namely Ranchi Women's College (RWC), Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College, Marwari College, Doranda College and Karam Chand Bhagat College.

Among other decisions taken in the meeting with regard to these colleges included a proposal to start a three-year undergraduate course in civil defence, masters in psychology, Urdu, regional and tribal languages and MCom from this academic session. "We will also start undergraduate course in industrial property right and copyright," said the VC.

Pandey added that a Board of Studies under the aegis of social science department would also be set up. "The board will frame curriculum for the civil defence course," he said.