Patna: Persistent delays in academic sessions across universities in Bihar, from undergraduate (UG) to postgraduate (PG) levels, are severely jeopardizing the future of nearly three lakh students. With delays ranging from two months to as long as 26 months, the state's higher education system is struggling to maintain its schedule despite repeated warnings from authorities.
Chancellor's Directives Ignored
What is particularly concerning is that even after multiple directives from Governor-cum-Chancellor Syed Ata Hasnain, university administrations have failed to streamline the academic calendar. Around 13 state universities are witnessing delays across three academic cycles, from 2023-27 to 2025-29, as highlighted during a recent presentation.
UG Session 2023-27: Grim Situation
In the 2023-27 UG session, the situation is grim. At Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU), the fifth semester is running four months behind schedule. B N Mandal University (BNMU) has a delay of one month, while Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU) is lagging by four months in the fifth semester. The delay is even more pronounced at Jai Prakash University (JPU), where the fourth semester is behind 11 months and the fifth semester by seven months. Similarly, Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University (KSDSU) is running 10 months late in the fourth semester, and Lalit Narayan Mithila University (LNMU) is five months behind in the fifth semester. Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian University (MMHAPU) has a 10-month delay in the fourth semester, Munger University is six months behind in the fifth semester, Patna University is delayed by four months, and Purnia University is running five months late.
UG Session 2024-28: Similar Trends
The 2024-28 session also reflects a similar trend. At AKU, third semester exams are delayed by four months, while BNMU is three months behind. Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU) is also facing a four-month delay. The situation is particularly severe at JPU, where the second semester is delayed by nine months and the third semester by eight months. Meanwhile, KSDSU and MMHAPU are running nearly 10 months late in the second semester. Munger University is six months behind, while Patna University is delayed by six months in the second semester and four months in the third semester. Purnia University and TMBU are both running about four months late.
UG Session 2025-29: New Session, Old Problems
Even the new 2025-29 session is not immune to delays. The first semester at AKU is already five months late, while BNMU is delayed by three months. BRABU and TMBU are both five months behind. JPU is running four months late, while KSDSU, LNMU, and MMHAPU are each delayed by about four months. Munger University is two months behind and Purnia University is delayed by four months.
PG-Level Delays More Severe
At the PG level, delays are even more severe. In the 2022-24 session, JPU recorded the longest delays, with the third semester lagging by 26 months and the fourth by 21 months. The 2023-25 session continues the trend, with delays of 20 months during the second semester, 16 months in the third semester, and 13 months in the fourth semester at the same university. KSDSU is 22 months behind in the second semester, while Patliputra University is delayed by 11 months.
PG Session 2024-26: Continued Struggles
For the 2024-26 PG session, AKU and TMBU are each four months behind in the third semester. JPU continues to struggle with delays of 14 months in the first semester, 11 months in the second, and eight months in the third. Other universities such as LNMU, Munger University, Patna University, Purnia University, and TMBU are also facing delays ranging from two to four months.
Higher Education Department Director N K Agrawal termed the delays a matter under the Lok Bhavan's purview.
