Bhubaneswar, May 18: The higher education department today announced the schedule for admission into Plus Two courses in all junior colleges in the state for the upcoming academic session.

The government has decided to conduct the admissions both online and offline this academic year. According to the schedule announced by the higher education department, the common application form for admission into all junior colleges will be made available online from May 23 on www.dheodisha.gov.in. Students who wish to apply offline can collect the forms from any of the 620 Student Academic Management System (Sams) Resource Centres across the state.

The last date for online application through the website is June 6. Offline applicants will have to submit their forms, along with supporting documents and fees, by June 7.

The last date for validation of online common application form and digitisation of offline application form in e-Space by the Sams Resource Centres is June 9.

The first merit list will be announced on June 13 and admissions will take place from June 16 to 21. Students seeking admission can check the website of the higher education department as well as that of the respective colleges to find out whether they have been selected.

The colleges will upload the first selection data in their respective e-Space by June 23. The second merit list will be announced on June 25 and admission of eligible candidates will be completed between June 27 and 29, while the respective second selection data will have to uploaded by July 1.

The third merit list will be published on July 4 and admission of these students will take place between July 8 and 9. The last date for uploading the data online is July 12.

The Plus Two classes for first year students will begin from July 14. The second phase of admission will start after 10 days from the announcement of instant and supplementary results. More than seven lakh students are expected to apply for admission into Plus Two courses this year.

For the first time, the higher education department has included Sanskrit and vocational colleges under the e-admission system.

"The inclusion of Sanskrit and vocational colleges will ensure transparency and save time," said higher education department official in charge of admissions Mihir Das.

It has also decided that all admission into junior colleges, including transfer admissions, would have to be completed by November 30.

"While we expect more students to apply online, we have kept alternatives for students who prefer traditional methods or do not have Internet access," Das said.

The authorities have also got the complete database of students who have passed the Board of Secondary Education examination this year integrated in the software to cut down workload.

The department has also decided to improve the performance of the Sanjog helpline call centre during the e-admission period to address the queries of the students and parents.

The students can contact the nearest Sams Resource Centre or call the e-admission helpdesk at the toll free number 155335 for further details.