BDU adopts UGC span limit to finish UG/PG courses

Bharathidasan University has asked candidates admitted to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes before 2018-2019 to complete their course by 2023. This was part of the university’s decision to implement a “uniform span period” from the 2018-2019 academic year.


In fact, the university has adopted UGC guidelines on the determination of a uniform span period within which a student may be allowed to qualify for a degree. Accordingly, old students may not be able to claim their degrees after June 30, 2023, as they will not be allowed to appear for their arrears papers. Earlier, the university had decided to provide a last opportunity to old students to claim their degrees by way of conducting a special exam.
Following deliberations and representation from several colleges, it was decided to give the old students time till 2023. Director in-charge, Council for College & Curriculum Development, J A Arul Chellakumar, said that “the university jurisdiction spreads across 8 central districts and most students come from rural areas.” He further said that “most of the girl students may have to discontinue studies after their marriage and may not be able to clear the papers at one go especially after having children. Taking their demands into consideration, the vice-chancellor has ordered that they be given chance till 2023.”
But the candidates admitted on or after 2018-2019 onwards will have to complete their UG/PG programmes within two years of completion of the programme. In exceptional circumstances, a further extension of a year may be granted. Such exceptional circumstances would be spelt out clearly by the relevant statutory body of the university. During the extended period, the student would be considered as a private candidate and would not be eligible for ranking.
Since the uniform span period was implemented from the academic year 2018-2019, Bharathidasan University has extended the time limit to complete the courses within a maximum of five years, that is 30.06.2023, for students who were admitted before the 2018-2019 academic year.