Students at an admission desk at BJB Junior College, Bhubaneswar, on Tuesday. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 7: Admissions to junior colleges began in the state today. But a section of candidates here, who figure on the merit list, failed to confirm their seats alleging that their schools have not yet handed over original marksheets and school leaving certificates to them.

Most of these students belong to CBSE-affiliated schools in the capital. They are jittery about their chances of getting admission in the city’s most sought-after colleges.

“We called up the board officials in Delhi, who said they had already dispatched certificates to all schools. But my school authorities have not received it so far. If the documents do not reach here on time, I will lose out on the opportunity to enrol in my dream college,” said a candidate, who has made it to the science stream at BJB Junior College.

There were at least five other students, who had turned up at this college for admissions without their original certificates. “It has been two months since the Class X results were declared. The board officials and school authorities concerned must take serious note of this situation so that no student is harassed like this in future,” said A.K. Sahoo, a guardian.

Officials at BJB Junior College said as per rules, a student, while applying online, could attach documents downloaded from the website of the board concerned. But it was mandatory to furnish the original copies at the time of admission.

“However, we have given them time till August 13, the last date of normal admissions period, to produce the required certificates and take admission,” said Shuvada Mohanty, principal of BJB Junior College.

There were also reports of “validation error” at some places where students complained of incorrect marks and omission of weightage or reservation details in the admission e-space.

“In such cases, we will scrutinise the information furnished by the candidate in the application form and after discussions with higher education officials, we will rectify the errors accordingly,” said Mrutyunjaya Panda, programme manager of CMS, which is looking after the students’ academic management system (Sams), an e-record of the admission process.

Sams officials said nine Plus Two colleges in the state, including two in the capital, have not received a single applicant for admissions despite having a sanctioned strength of 64 to 128 seats.