Sardar Patel University Mandi’s New Rule: Re-appear Students Not Eligible for April Exams

Mandi, March 27: In a significant decision, the Academic Council of Sardar Patel University (SPU) Mandi has announced that students who pass after re-appearing in the supplementary exams held in December will not be eligible to appear in the exams scheduled for April. This new policy aims to regulate the progression of students and maintain academic standards within the university.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Academic Council, which discussed various aspects of the academic process and the eligibility of students for upcoming examinations. The new rule specifically targets students who had failed in supplementary exams prior to October 2024 but were later given an opportunity to reappear and pass in December. These students, according to the university’s policy, will now not be permitted to sit for the April exams of the next academic session.

SPU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lalit Kumar Awasthi, elaborated on the matter, stating that students who passed the supplementary exams in December 2024 did not meet key eligibility criteria, such as 70 percent attendance and other prescribed requirements. As a result, the Academic Council concluded that these students would not be allowed to sit for the next class examinations. The decision has been taken to ensure that students meet the academic standards set by the university before they advance to the next class.

Earlier, the university had taken a more lenient approach when it relaxed the passing criteria during the meeting of the Academic Council on October 9, 2024. This change had benefitted thousands of students who had previously failed their exams but were given another opportunity to pass through supplementary examinations. However, it seems that the relaxed criteria have created complications when it comes to eligibility for subsequent exams, leading to the recent policy change.

Prof. Awasthi also explained that before the new policy, students who failed in two subjects had to repeat the year. This led to a significant dropout rate, with many students leaving their studies after failing multiple subjects. Under the revised policy, students who fail in three subjects are still allowed to move to the next class, but they must pass their failed subjects in supplementary exams. This has reduced the dropout rate, as many students can now progress academically without having to repeat the year.

Since the introduction of the new policy, 3,217 students who had passed their supplementary exams have been allowed admission into the next academic year. This move has been seen as a step towards reducing academic pressure while providing students with opportunities to continue their education.

However, the latest decision regarding the eligibility for the April exams has raised concerns among some students who were hoping to progress directly to the next class after passing the supplementary exams. Many of these students, who have worked hard to clear their reappear exams, feel that the decision to bar them from taking the April exams is unfair. While the university’s aim is to maintain high academic standards, this move could face some backlash among the student body.

In conclusion, the university’s new policy aims to strike a balance between flexibility and maintaining academic integrity. The university’s administration will likely continue to monitor the impact of these decisions on students’ academic progress and make adjustments if necessary.