St Xavier’s University, New Town, will start its undergraduate classes from August 9 over digital platforms.

The university conducted online tests for admission to commerce, management, economics, English and mass communication between July 10 and 12.

Vice-chancellor Father Felix Raj said, “Students encountering connectivity problems or are unable to afford datapacks can come to the campus and use the university’s connectivity facilities to attend classes.”

St Xavier’s is a private university.

At a meeting between education minister Bratya Basu and vice-chancellors of state universities last week, it was decided that these universities would accept the application forms between August 2 and 20 and start undergraduate classes from October 1.

At St Xavier’s University, Father Felix Raj said, results of the admission test would be announced on July 16. Admissions will start thereafter and continue till July 31.

“Admission will be given on the basis of the tests. However, the student must pass a plus-II examination conducted by a recognised board/council in India and obtain a minimum of 55 per cent marks in the aggregate and also minimum 45 per cent marks in each of the four subjects as mentioned in the eligibility criteria. If it is found that a candidate has been selected on the basis of an admission test but has failed to fulfil the minimum marks criteria then the admission will be cancelled,” he told The Telegraph.

CBSE board and the ICSE council would declare the Class-XII results on or before July 31.

The state higher secondary council is going to publish results on July 22.

An official of the university said an early start of the classes would enable the university to cover the syllabus and conduct the semester exam on time.

“This year we are being able to start classes early as the university is enrolling students through online tests, marking a departure from the practice of selecting students based on their marks in the Class XII board exams,” he said.

Since the board exams could not be held this year because of a surge in the number of Covid cases, the university conducted admission tests hoping that this would bring out the potential of an aspirant to study the programme and give a level playing field to all applicants.

Father Felix said: “The prolonged run of the pandemic has caused severe financial distress among the families. There could be students who are not in a position to buy a gadget or afford the cost of datapacks. They can stay at the hostels and use the computer facilities on the campus to attend the classes.”