The University of Calcutta has released a revised timetable for its first-semester undergraduate theory exams, which had been postponed earlier due to the state Assembly elections. The exams are now set to take place between May 11 and May 18, instead of the previously planned April 14 to April 27 schedule.

University officials expressed hope that by the new exam dates, security personnel currently stationed in several college campuses will have vacated the premises. These campuses have been occupied for election-related duties, and institutions will need some time afterward to restore classrooms and prepare them for examinations.

The delay in conducting the exams has also affected the academic calendar, as second-semester classes cannot begin until the first-semester assessments are completed.

According to an official notice issued by the university’s examination controller, students are expected to sit for the exams following the revised schedule using the admit cards that have already been distributed by their respective colleges. The updated routine has also been made available on the university’s official website.

The exams were initially postponed after multiple affiliated colleges reported their inability to host them, as their facilities had been taken over to accommodate central security forces deployed ahead of the elections.

Approximately one lakh students were expected to appear for these exams under the original schedule. The election process in the state has been conducted in phases, with counting scheduled for early May. Typically, central forces remain in the region even after vote counting to handle any potential post-election unrest.

While authorities acknowledged that there is a chance the forces may continue to occupy some campuses beyond the counting period, they emphasized that the exams cannot be delayed indefinitely. Conducting them soon is necessary to keep the academic cycle on track.

College authorities also noted that the first-semester exams had already been scheduled relatively late because many students were admitted after the usual timeline. This delay in admissions occurred after the education department allowed colleges to independently fill vacant seats, extending the admission process into early November. As a result, additional time was needed to ensure these students were adequately prepared before appearing for their exams.