June 23: Calcutta University has seen a drop in the number of honours and first-class graduates from last year.

The Part III results that were declared today had 2,516 BSc first-class graduates. Last year, the number was 2,675.

In BA, the number is 657. Last year it was 700.

The honours percentage in BSc dropped to 77.39 from last year's 80.41.

In BA, it's 75.13. Last year it was 76.92.

The BCom results saw a rise, though. The number of first-class graduates rose to 1,746 from last year's 1,682. The honours percentage jumped to 61.36 from last year's 58.42.

Swagata Sen, the pro-vice-chancellor (academic), said the slump in the BA and BSc performance was a matter of concern while announcing the results. The university will discuss the matter with colleges that fared poorly and try to find out what could have led to the fall, Sen said.

A university official said insufficient laboratory facility might have led to the drop in BSc results. "There are colleges that admitted more than the sanctioned number of students. Poor laboratory facilities in these colleges meant students didn't get good practical exposure," he said. "In BSc, practicals hold the key to a good show."

But the argument doesn't hold good for BA, another official said. The number of examinees dropped to 15,479 from last year's 15,977, he said.

The Part III results this year were declared on the 70th day since the completion of the theory papers - a delay of five days compared to last year.

Pro-VC Sen, however, said: "We have taken only five more days than last year. We have a 90-day deadline for the publication of results."

The university had fared poorly in the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) ranking that was published in January.

An official had said the NAAC team was unhappy as the university had failed to modernise the examination system and introduce modern teaching and learning methods in most departments. The team was dissatisfied with the inordinate delays in publishing undergraduate and postgraduate results, the official said.

The results show not much has changed. "Delayed publication of results was one of the reasons why NAAC downgraded us. We need to shorten the deadline, preferably to 60 days, and fast-track the publication of results," he said.