Bhubaneswar: The application processes for both offline and online admission to various Plus Three courses has concluded. The first phase merit list for admission to degree and autonomous colleges will be released on July 3.

According to sources, 2.75lakh applications have been received this year.

Students had to submit their common application form (CAF) through online mode and submit its print copy along with all relevant documents and admission fees (if not paid online) at the SAMS (Student Academic Management System) centre by Thursday.

Admissions will be conducted for 985 colleges. The eligible candidates can be enrolled into courses in the colleges between July 4 and July 7 after release of the first phase merit list on July 3.

Similarly, the second phase merit list will be released on July 11 and students can take admissions between July 12 and July 13.

The classes will commence from July 16.

If any seats lie vacant after the second round of selections, admission will be conducted for those seats on July 21 at the college level after accepting offline CAFs between July 16 and July 18.

The state government has introduced changes in the admission process for Plus Three courses in the state.

This year, admissions for vacant seats for degree courses in science, arts and commerce would be done using the offline CAF.

Prior to that, two rounds of admissions had been done for seats in various state-run autonomous and private colleges. Though online payment of CAF fees were introduced this year, the system of offline payment had not been withdrawn.

The students belonging to transgender category and persons with disabilities (PWDs) had been exempted from paying CAF fees.