Dumka, Aug. 30: Around 150 candidates aspiring for Sido-Kanhu Murmu University’s (SKMU) doctoral research programme are in a fix over the pattern of the entrance test.

SKMU will conduct the entrance for various subjects on September 20. However, the harried candidates have not been told what syllabi will the tests be based on.

“There is a wide range of topics in postgraduate courses. So, we are finding it difficult to prepare for the entrance for PhD programme as the varsity has not highlighted possible topics,” Rajkumar Upadhyaya, an aspirant, said.

He alleged that SKMU had promised to adopt test procedures on the lines of Ranchi University to ensure quality research, but failed.

Similar to the entrance at Ranchi University, the question paper in SKMU also comprises three sets — groups A, B C — totalling 100 marks.

The papers set by SKMU do not carry optional questions. In Ranchi University, however, candidates have to answer five out of nine questions for group A, 12 out of 35 for B and one out of seven in C.

“Out of 121 candidates who appeared in the entrance for history, none could qualify last year,” an SKMU teacher revealed. The doctoral programme was started last year.

Controller of examination, SKMU, P.K. Roy expressed helplessness, saying the entrance was finalised by a high power panel constituted by former VC Victor Tigga.