Semester system in all Plus III colleges of Odisha from this year

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, May 15:

The Odisha government has decided to introduce the semester system of examinations in all 705 Plus Three colleges in the state from the 2015-16 academic session.

The new semester system would be formally approved at the vice chancellors’ meeting in Ravenshaw University tomorrow.

As decided by the Higher Education department, there would be two semester examinations every year. The courses for the semester examinations would be the same for all universities.

The semester courses have been prepared on the model syllabus of the HRD ministry as per UGC guidelines.

Like the Engineering courses, the choice based credit system (CBCS) would be introduced in the Plus Three streams. Instead of marks as is the case in the current system, students would be awarded grades. Apart from the multiple courses, a student will have to obtain 122 credit points for his/her Bachelor’s degree.

The students, apart from their core, elective and foundation courses, would be imparted courses on skill development to make them self-employed.

Unlike previous years, there would be no ‘Pass’ courses as the new system has made mandatory provision for Honours courses for all students.

Under the new system, a Science Honours student, apart from their core (Honours) subjects, can also choose some subjects from Arts and Commerce.

Besides, all students will have to submit their project work at the end of their academic session.

Out of the 705 Plus Three colleges in the state, 37 autonomous colleges have already introduced the semester system. However, under the new system, these 37 colleges will have the discretion to change a maximum of 20 percent of their syllabuses.

Besides, the universities will be allowed to prepare 20 percent of the syllabuses on local subjects. For instances, the Fakir Mohan University will prepare courses on Vyasa Kabi Fakir Mohan Senapati while the Sambalpur University will prepare courses on Vir Surendra Sai.