Calcutta University has decided to postpone the third-semester examinations for undergraduate students by about a month due to delays in completing the syllabus. The theory examinations, earlier scheduled to begin on February 23, will now commence on March 24.

Vice-chancellor Ashutosh Ghosh explained that the decision was taken to ensure students get sufficient time to cover the remaining portions of their coursework and prepare properly for the exams. The revised timetable, he said, would help students be better equipped when they sit for their tests.

The move follows a student demonstration earlier this week at the university’s College Street campus. Students claimed that only around 40 out of the mandated 66 teaching days had been conducted during the third semester. With the updated schedule, the university administration expects the remaining required classes to be completed.

Principals of several affiliated colleges have supported the postponement. According to Siuli Sarkar, principal of Lady Brabourne College, the delay will allow institutions to finish the syllabus in a more organized and effective manner. She noted that rushing through lessons-especially in subjects such as physics-can compromise students’ conceptual foundations, something the revised timetable aims to prevent.

Jaydeep Sarangi, principal of New Alipore College, pointed out that while some colleges have already completed the syllabus, others have not, and the revised examination dates will be particularly beneficial for those institutions still catching up.

Under the new routine, practical examinations for third-semester students will begin on March 6. The theory papers will be held after the completion of practicals, reversing the earlier plan where practical exams were scheduled after theory papers. A university official said this change was made to allow more classroom time for theory subjects.

Faculty members had earlier expressed concerns that the extensive syllabus of the four-year undergraduate programme, introduced in 2023 under the National Education Policy, would be difficult to manage within the original timeline.

The vice-chancellor also mentioned that the university is in the process of preparing a revised academic calendar aimed at increasing the number of teaching days at the undergraduate level so that course requirements can be met more smoothly in the future.