Jadavpur: Jadavpur University has reverted to the earlier eligibility criterion for the evening classes of the bachelor of engineering (BE) programme, reinstating Madhyamik or equivalent as the minimum required degree.

The university had earlier decided that only those who had passed the Higher Secondary exams would be eligible for the evening course from the 2018-19 academic year.

Pressure from student unions and a fear that a higher bar might come in the way of filling up the 120 seats in the five-year course seem to have led to the change in policy.

Two other requirements - a polytechnic diploma in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering and job experience of at least one year - remain the same.

JU scrapped the rule that was set to be introduced this year in a notification issued on April 7, which was the original last date for the submission of application forms for appearing in the entrance test for the course.

The notice - signed by acting registrar Chiranjeeb Bhattacharya and posted on JU's website www.jaduniv.edu.in - extends the last date for submission of application forms to April 13.

The entrance test is scheduled for June 23.

JU had in the early 1980s introduced the evening course in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering for working diploma-holders.

Till 2017, candidates who had passed the secondary exams and with a polytechnic diploma in one of the three streams were eligible to apply for the evening course.

The university decided to raise the bar and make Higher Secondary the minimum required degree. The candidates were required to score at least 60 per cent marks in physics, chemistry and math together, 60 per cent in math and pass marks in English in Plus-II.

This was in addition to 60 per cent in the polytechnic diploma examinations in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering.

The revised notification issued on April 7 states: "Candidates must have passed diploma examination in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering with at least 60 per cent marks or equivalent grade point and with at least 60 per cent marks in mathematics at Madhyamik".

In Bengal, students can take admission to a polytechnic institute after passing Madhyamik.

"We had decided to raise the eligibility criteria because a science background and a decent score in physics, chemistry and mathematics could enable students to cope with the BE programme better," acting registrar Bhattacharya said.

"We reintroduced the earlier system following objections from students," said Bhattacharya, who is also dean of engineering and technology.

Sources said concern over filling up the seats was another reason for restoring the earlier criterion.

"If the university wants to get good students, they can raise the standard of the admission test, which the JEE board has been holding on behalf of JU since 2015," said Avik Das, chairperson of the engineering faculty students' union. Till 2014, the university would hold the test.