GUWAHATI: The publication of the merit list for Gauhati University's Four-Year Integrated Masters Programme (FYIMP) on June 3 sparked widespread speculation that more than 10 academic departments had been dropped from the university's undergraduate curriculum. However, the university administration has clarified that no department has been closed and no academic programme has been permanently discontinued.
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The confusion arose after 11 subjects were not included for undergraduate Major admissions in the upcoming academic session. The subjects are Sanskrit, Hindi, Linguistics, Bodo, Bengali, Persian, Arabic, Comparative Indian Literature, Folklore Studies, Environmental Studies, and Software Development.
The development has raised concerns among students, particularly those who had already registered for these subjects through the SAMARTH admission portal.
The Gauhati University Post Graduate Students' Union (GUPGSU)'s General Secretary Prabal Jyoti Sarma said "These departments may not be closed, but the subjects are not included for admission this year. There are students who have already registered for these courses on the SAMARTH portal," he said.
Sarma further stated that when the students' body approached the authorities for clarification, they were informed that the decision was linked to low enrolment and limited demand for the courses..
Responding to the reports, the university's Registrar, Prof. Utpal Sarma said to media that no department was being shut down and that the affected departments continue to offer several other academic programmes, including postgraduate courses, PhD programmes, diploma and certificate courses, as well as Minor, MDC (Multidisciplinary Courses), and SEC (Skill Enhancement Courses).
He explained that admissions to undergraduate Major programmes are reviewed annually based on the number of applications received. If a particular subject attracts very few applicants, the concerned department may decide not to offer that Major for the academic session.
"No department is being closed, nor are any courses being discontinued. Departments continue to offer various programmes, including postgraduate, doctoral, diploma, certificate, Minor, MDC and SEC courses as usual," the Registrar said.
He further clarified that the decision relates only to admissions for specific undergraduate Major programmes and should not be interpreted as the closure of the departments concerned.
"If a Major course receives very few applications, the department may decide not to offer that Major for the current academic session. This does not mean that the department itself has been closed," he added.
The Registrar also indicated that the university would take appropriate action regarding what he described as misleading reports circulating about the institution's academic programmes.
The issue has reignited discussions on course accessibility and academic diversity at Gauhati University, with student representatives urging the administration to address the concerns of applicants who had already registered for the affected Major subjects.