Partha questions need for cut-off marks at Presidency

Kolkata: State Education minister Partha Chatterjee on Friday questioned the need for cut off marks for admission of students as the university conducts admission test for admitting students. "If they have a cut off marks for admitting students then why do they conduct admission tests?" Chatterjee asked.

Presidency University's vice-chancellor Anuradha Lohia had indicated on Friday that the university may bring down the cut off marks for admission from the next academic year in the wake of a number of vacant seats in the university. It is learnt that the minister wants either admission test or cut off marks when it comes to admitting students at the premier varsity. He had time and again expressed his displeasure over so many vacant seats in the university

Lohia had said on Friday that in order to ensure high academic standards, the cut off marks for admission was on the higher side as a result of which a number of students could not be admitted at the varsity. She had said that they will review it with senior teachers and members of the governing council.

"The state government has every right to know why there has been so many vacant seats as there has been questions from all quarters in this regard. In subjects like Physics and Chemistry, seats have not been filled up," the minister said.

Chatterjee will hold a meeting with the vice-chancellor sometime next week and will enquire about the issue of so many vacant seats.