Ranchi University has announced a significant shift in its academic calendar, deciding to commence the admission process for its pending postgraduate courses for the 2025-27 session from January next year. This decision comes in the wake of substantial delays in the examinations of its undergraduate programs, creating a ripple effect on the academic schedule.
Examination Backlog Causes Admission Halt
The core reason for the postponement lies in the delayed undergraduate examination cycle. University officials confirmed that examinations for the fifth semester have been conducted, but the results are still pending. Crucially, students of Ranchi University become eligible for PG admissions only after completing their sixth-semester exams, a process that officials admit "will take time." This procedural requirement has forced the administration to push the PG admission timeline.
Student Anxiety and Institutional Impact
The delay has sparked considerable concern among the student community. Approximately 8,000 students typically seek admission to the university's postgraduate programs annually. These aspiring scholars are now facing uncertainty. The All India Student Association (AISA) has been actively representing this discontent, meeting with RU officials and submitting a formal memorandum demanding clarity and an expedited process.
Sanjana Mehta, the AISA state secretary, highlighted the "confusion and anxiety" prevailing among students due to the admission delay. Echoing this sentiment, AISA district president Vijay Kumar pointed out that the university's intent to allow its own UG students a fair chance at PG admission is causing a wait for students from other universities as well. "We were not given any assurance on when the admission process would begin," Kumar stated.
The impact extends beyond RU's campus. R K Sharma, principal of Doranda College and an associate professor, revealed that students have approached him with similar concerns. He emphasized a critical consequence: "Due to the delay of the UG students' examination, they have also been deprived of the opportunities to take admission in PG classes of better institutes like Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru universities." This delay is effectively closing windows for higher education opportunities at premier national institutions.
Official Roadmap and UGC Flexibility
In response to the growing pressure, university authorities have now charted a clear path forward. S K Sahu, the dean of students' welfare at Ranchi University, provided official confirmation: "We are now planning to start the PG admission process from the January session. A notification in this regard will be issued this month."
Sahu clarified that this shift is within the regulatory framework, noting, "The University Grants Commission allows us to commence the session from either January or July." To ensure eligibility, university officials affirmed that the semester VI examinations for UG courses would be completed before the PG admissions commence, allowing final-year students to transition smoothly.
This restructuring of the academic year aims to resolve the current logjam but underscores the challenges universities face in synchronizing examination and admission cycles, especially when delays occur in foundational programs.
