Presidency University has announced the schedule for the distribution of undergraduate and postgraduate final-year grade cards in a staggered way because of the Covid pandemic, said a university official.

In previous years the university held the convocation - where degree certificates are handed out - following the distribution of grade cards. This year the convocation will not be held because of the pandemic.

A notice issued by the secretary of the faculty council says the grade cards will be distributed from Derozio hall from February 25. The campus has remained closed since last March.

As part of the staggered distribution process, each department has been given a specific date.

“Even within a department, separate timings have been allotted for undergraduate and postgraduate wings to minimise chances of crowding,” said an university official.

The distribution of grade cards will start with the Bengali department, which has been assigned February 25. Postgraduate and PhD students have been asked to turn up between 11.30am and 1.30pm and undergraduate students from 2pm to 4pm. The distribution will go on till March 10.

The notice says that if any student fails to collect the grade card on the scheduled day, he or she may collect it on March 15.

A Presidency official said Derozio Hall had been chosen as the distribution venue because it is spacious and physical distancing norms could be maintained.

The students have been asked to produce documents like original ID card, original registration certificate, clearances from the respective department heads and the dean of students (for hostel clearance only).

“Those who wanted digitised copies of grade cards have already received them,” said vice-chancellor Anuradha Lohia.

When asked when the convocation could be held, she said: “It cannot be held at this moment because of the pandemic. We cannot risk anyone’s health.”

This will be the second time in two years that Presidency will not hold its convocation. Last year, the university had not held the convocation and had distributed digital degree certificates amid the buzz that the authorities were reluctant to organise the event to spare itself the trouble of inviting the chancellor — governor Jagdeep Dhankhar — to the programme.

The governor had last year faced students’ protests on several campuses, mostly because of his comments in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens.