Bhubaneswar, Aug. 30: The students, who had appeared for the fourth semester sociology examinations at Utkal University, are still waiting for their results to be declared. Owing to this delay, their admission into the MPhil courses has been jeopardised.

The fourth semester sociology examinations got over in the second week of May.

“I had applied for the MPhil programme in sociology at two universities — Ravenshaw University in Cuttack and Fakir Mohan University in Balasore. Although I have secured very good marks in both the entrance tests, I am placed in the waiting list. The authorities have refused to allow me admission until I produce my fourth semester marksheet,” said student Nupur Pattanaik.

Other students of the department are also jittery. “When many other departments at Utkal are publishing their results within a month of the exams, why can’t ours be declared even after three-and-a-half months? Our professors have told us the results would be out soon, but they are not able to give us the exact date. This delay happens every year and as a result, we lose out on the opportunity of applying to universities outside the state,” said another student.

Head of the sociology department Navneeta Rath said the papers had already been evaluated and the results would be declared by next week.

“The marks have been sent to the computer cell (of the examination section) to be fed into the systems. The university will be closed from tomorrow for three consecutive days for Eid, Ganesh puja and Nuakhai. Saturday is a half-day and Sunday a holiday. Thus, we are expecting the results to be declared by Monday,” Rath said. Sources in the examination section of the university said the delay was caused as the external examiner, who was originally supposed to evaluate the answer scripts, had turned down the request. “Another examiner was approached. He also refused to check the papers, citing personal reasons.

“Finally, they found someone to do the evaluation,” the source said. The results of other departments such as Sanskrit, public administration and archaeology are also yet to be declared.