Ranchi, June 23: Medical certificate would no longer help students at St Xavier’s College for taking the final exam if they fall short of attendance.

The academic council of the autonomous college today decided that any student, short of attendance, would be eligible to sit for final examination only if s/he finishes the incomplete syllabi. “Such students even have to complete the curriculum by attending classes with their juniors,” said St Xavier’s College principal Nicholas Tete.

College sources said many students have made it a habit to skip classes thus falling short of attendance at the end of the year.

Tete said the new system would be implemented from the 2009-10 academic session onwards.

The highest decision-making body of the college on academic matters also gave a formal approval to start three important vocational degree-level courses from the current academic session. The three-year degree-level courses are in animation, retail management and insurance management.

The academic council also reviewed possible changes in admission and examination rules which the officials did not reveal. But sources said discussions centred on prevailing reservation policy and bringing possible changes so that the same synchronises with the state policy on reservation.

However, the officials said that as a minority affiliated institution, St Xavier’s enjoys some special privileges.

At present, the college — with over 10,000 students — reserves 26 per cent seats for Scheduled Tribes, 14 per cent for Scheduled Castes, 10 per cent for other backward classes, 3 per cent for physically challenged students, besides a few seats for sports and NCC certificate holders. The college publishes merit list for each category.