Punjabi University extends admission date for first-year students

The Punjabi University has again extended the admission process for first-year students in the current academic session. In a notice, the university extended the last date for admissions from September 14 to September 28. The step was taken despite the fact that the university had already extended admission dates two times earlier. As per the reports, a letter has been issued to all academic departments, neighborhood campuses and regional centers of the university in this regard. Another letter which was signed by Dr Jaspal Kaur, Dean (Colleges), claimed, “Last dates for first-year students seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in university constituent colleges have been extended from September 15 to September 29 with late fees of Rs 2,000.” According to the university academic calendar for this session, teaching departments opened in the second week of July. The first semester is supposed to extend from mid-July to mid-November.

The varsity was granting admission with late fees till mid-September, but dates were extended. Earlier, the university extended dates for admission by 15 days as not many students applied for various courses. The new programmes started, including MA (Public policy and governance), MBA (Media studies and entertainment) and PG diploma (Child development and counseling) are the most affected as the university received half the number of applications for these.

As per senior officials in the Punjabi University admission cell, not many students came for admission during the last 14 days. “The admission dates have been extended for the third time. We received only 25 to 30 applications for all courses in the last 14 days. By now, most applicants and first-year students looking for admission in various courses must have already settled in other universities,” said a senior official requesting anonymity.

The Punjabi University has already updated the students regarding semester exams to be held in November and December. Students were directed to deposit the examination fee by September 14. Now, the university has decided to offer admission nearly 15 days after the last date for submitting first semester examination forms and fee. Dr GS Batra, Dean (Academics) said, “The admission dates have been extended for the last time. As we have received some new applicants on the campus and in colleges so, we have decided to offer them seats. We will hold extra classes for the newcomers wherever required.”

He, however, accepted that students had already taken admissions by now. “This opportunity is for those interested in certificate courses and whose re-evaluation result has been cleared recently,” he said while adding “Now, the university has extended dates for submission of examination fee.”

Most university departments will conduct mid-semester exams for the first semester in October. Students in the university questioned how the newcomers would be evaluated in such circumstances. "University departments opened in July. The mid-semester exams will be held soon. How will newcomers cope up with the syllabus?" said a student in the Department of History.