UGC Allows Universities to Hold Their Own Entrance Exams to Fill Vacant Seats

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has permitted universities to conduct their own entrance exams for undergraduate and postgraduate courses if seats remain vacant after the regular admission rounds. This measure aims to ensure no seat is left unfilled, following the utilization of Common University Entrance Test scores.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) announced Thursday that universities can now conduct their own entrance exams for undergraduate and postgraduate courses if seats remain vacant after regular admission rounds. This decision aims to ensure no seat is left unfilled.

UGC Chairman Prof M Jagadesh Kumar highlighted that every seat is valuable in universities. The UGC has provided standard operating procedures (SOP) to utilize Common University Entrance Test (CUET) scores for admission processes. "This procedure includes multiple admission rounds to fill seats. Central universities typically use CUET scores for admissions. If, after the first, second, and third rounds of admissions using CUET scores, some seats still remain vacant, the UGC has advised universities to relax the subject criteria to accommodate more students," Kumar said.

"In cases where seats are still not filled, universities are permitted to conduct their own entrance exams at the university level to fill these vacancies," he added. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced CUET-UG results last week, kickstarting the undergraduate admission process, which had been delayed.

Prof. Kumar underlined the importance of ensuring that no university seats remain vacant, stating, "Every seat is valuable in our universities. Universities must make all efforts to ensure students are offered admission." The CUET UG 2024 was conducted between May 15 and May 24, 2024, with around 13.48 lakh registrations. The scores are being used for admissions across 47 central, 54 state, 37 deemed, 177 private, and six other universities.

The CUET PG 2024 saw 4,62,725 registrations and was conducted over 15 days in over 250 cities, including nine international locations, in March. Introduced in 2022, CUET PG is used for admission into various postgraduate programs in central and state universities and institutions, participating deemed or private institutions for the academic session 24-25.

(With inputs from agencies.)