Bhubaneswar: Postgraduate education in Odisha will see a complete overhaul after the government on Tuesday decided to hold a common entrance test for admission into various postgraduate courses from the 2019-20 session.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by higher education minister Ananta Dash with vice-chancellors of state-run varsities.

The government has also decided to complete the admission process for undergraduate courses before August 14 through the Student Academic Management System.

The single-phase admission process will begin after conclusion of Plus Two examinations. The government has also decided to introduce a uniform syllabus and examination pattern for all the state-run varsities and autonomous colleges from the next academic session.

The syllabus and the exam pattern would be designed under the Choice Based Credit System prescribed by the University Grants Commission. Odisha State Higher Education Council vice-chairman Ashok Das said the decision will make things easier and competitive for students.

The colleges and universities will have the same academic calendar and conduct activities in unison. Steps will also be taken to strengthen coaching at the university level for National Eligibility Test aspirants.

In November 2017, the government had constituted five committees to reform the state's higher education.

"We are going to expedite the process to bring in reform suggested by the committees. It is going to strengthen the state's education system and also benefit the students," said a higher education department official who was present at the meeting.