Pune: The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)’s Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) has allowed students with backlog subjects to appear for examinations without submitting application forms, since the online process could not be completed because of technical issues.University officials said the decision was taken to ensure that students did not lose a term. However, the move has triggered discussions in academic circles, with some experts questioning whether it departs from established procedures.Nearly 10,000 students enrolled in BA, BCom, MA, MCom and MBA programmes offered through CODL across Pune, Ahilyanagar and Nashik are covered under the examination process.Initially, the university had told students with backlogs to submit online examination forms by June 10. Since the portal was not functional, the deadline was extended to June 30. But the portal remained inaccessible due to technical issues.A student said, “We approached the university for clarification, but did not receive a response. We were told to wait but the examination dates drew closer. We were confused what to do next.”The examinations were scheduled to begin on July 10. On July 7, the university issued a circular permitting eligible students with backlogs to appear for the examinations without submitting application forms. An official of the SPPU exam department said, “Students have been directed to pay the prescribed examination fee and their eligibility would then be processed. They should not worry about the application process and write the exam.”Some students questioned why the examination process was announced before the online system was ready. A student said, “We are usually not allowed to write the tests on failing to submit application forms. Such a relaxation should not become a regular practice. The technical glitches must be fixed immediately.”The university attributed the delay to the transition of examination-related work from MKCL to the SPPU Infotech Foundation. Officials said the migration process was still underway, resulting in delays in making student data available for processing.
