Ranchi, Feb. 13: The two-year-long wait of 1,832 graduates (2010-2013) and postgraduates (2011-2013) of St Xavier's College, Ranchi, will get over on Monday when they attend their graduation ceremony earlier scheduled for 2014.

The enthusiasm of students was visible on their faces as they stood in long queues to collect their gowns (each for a refundable deposit of Rs 500), at Father De Brouwer auditorium of the autonomous college today.

There were six separate counters for graduates in science, commerce, arts, BEd, postgraduates and vocational courses.

The distribution of gowns, which were brought from Agra, will continue tomorrow.

Manohar Lal, the professor in-charge of distribution, said 850 gowns were handed out till 5pm today. As many as 1,200 students turned out to collect their gowns, but many returned empty-handed due to the rush.

The students thanked the college management for finalising a date for the graduation ceremony, even though it was two years too late.

Aastha Bhatia, an English honours graduate, said they had been waiting eagerly for the graduation ceremony. "The college authorities had assured us that our ceremony would be held after the convocation of Ranchi University (RU). Now, our wait is finally over," said the BEd student, who got 60.8 per cent in her graduation. ?

According to UGC norms, affiliated and constituent colleges can organise graduation ceremonies anytime after the university convocation. Though St Xavier's College is an autonomous institution, it is affiliated to RU.

And since RU held its convocation for students who completed their graduation, post graduation and vocational courses in 2013 only in January 20, Xavier's had to wait all this while to go ahead with its own ceremony.

Many students blamed RU for the delay.

Smita Sinko, a commerce graduate, said she was in desperate need of her certificate as she was applying for a job in a private company.

"They asked for my degree certificate which I don't have as of now. Just presenting a mark sheet wasn't enough. Whom should we blame?" she asked.

The delay also meant that many would skip the ceremony.

According to college authorities, there were 2,600 students who completed their courses in 2013. But, only 1,832 had registered themselves for the graduation ceremony. Of these, 31 students would get gold medals.

Graduates and postgraduates of the batch of 2014 will, however, have to wait as the dates for their convocation have not yet been decided on.

Another RU constituent, Marwari College, will hold its graduation ceremony in March.