Kolkata: Calcutta University will conduct first-semester undergraduate exams, scheduled till April 13, at home centres as planned. But it will have to take a decision if the remaining papers, slated for away centres, could be held according to the schedule as several colleges have been taken over for election work and it will be difficult to host examinees from other institutes there.The university on Thursday held a meeting with representatives of 40-odd affiliated colleges in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and South 24 Parganas. Most colleges said they faced serious logistical problems as large parts of their campuses were occupied for polling work. Many of them told CU conducting exams till April 13 would not be a problem as their students would write the exams on their own campuses. But from April 16, the tests are supposed to shift to away centres, requiring students to appear for the papers at other colleges, many of which were under EC control.CU VC Asutosh Ghosh said they were trying to avoid disruptions. “We are keen on completing the exams according to the schedule and so, we have written to district administrations and the EC,” Ghosh said. “The problem lies with colleges, where EVMs will be stationed and free movements will be restricted. We need to make a decision on the exams at away centres shortly.”The principal from a South 24 Parganas college said district election officials told them the campuses would be under their control until polling was over and entry would need permission. In such a scenario, the principal said, it would be difficult to host students from other colleges. But a principal from a remote place in Howrah cautioned that any postponement could affect the academic calendar, disrupting subsequent tests, including sixth-semester exams.
