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VISVA-BHARATI

SANTINIKETAN
Examination Section

General Rules for University Examinations

Programme: A programme consists of a number of courses.

Course: A ‘Course’ is a component (a paper) of a programme. All the Bhavanas (Institutes)

will conduct their approved courses having approved curricula and a uniform Academic
Calendar.

Academic year: The period of each year when the students attend their classes in the
University.

Semester: One of two divisions of an academic year.

Credit: Credit defines the quantum of contents /syllabus prescribed for a course and
determines the number of hours of instruction required.

Choice‐Based Credit System (CBCS): Choice‐Based Credit System is a flexible system of

learning.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): It is a measure of overall cumulative

performance of a student over all semesters completed up to the end of a given semester. The
CGPA is the ratio of total credit points secured by a student in various courses in all these
semesters and the sum of the total credits of all courses in all these semesters. It is expressed
up to two decimal places.

Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA): It is a measure of performance of work done in a

semester. It is ratio of total credit points secured by a student in various courses registered in
a semester and the total course credits taken during that semester. It is expressed up to two
decimal places.

OGPA : Overall Grade Point Average.

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Grade Point: There will be a 10 point grading system of evaluation with grade point (GP)
equal to percentage of mark obtained divided by 10.

Letter Grade: It is an index of the performance of students in a said course. Grades are
denoted by letters O, S, A++, A+, A, B+, B, C and F.

Examinations: All the Bhavana / Vibhaga will follow the Examination Calendar for different
course curricula to be notified by the University.

Eligibility: The registered students of the University only will be eligible to sit for the
examination on payment of prescribed fees and fulfilling attendance and other criteria.

Migration Certificate: A registered student of any other recognized University seeking

admission to any of the full time courses should furnish the Migration Certificate from the
University last attended by him / her studies within 1(one) months from the date of admission
failing Admit Cards for the Examination will not be issued.

Students of this University will be granted Migration Certificate on application on payment

of prescribed fees.

Those who have obtained the Migration Certificate and have not joined any other
University can continue their studies here after surrendering the migration Certificate.

Eligibility for Admission: The eligibility for admission to various Undergraduate and Post
Graduate degree courses for full time will be as per the guidelines set by the University.

Admission of Ex-Students to University Examination: An erstwhile registered student of

University, on the recommendation of the Principal of the Bhavana/Vibhaga and on payment
of the prescribed fee may be permitted to sit for the examination as an ex-student (within
permissible chances)

Conditions for Admission to Examinations: Application for admission to University

examination shall be made in the prescribed form and forwarded to the Examination Section
through the Head of the Department and the Principal of the Bhavana/Vibhaga within the
notified due date.

Those who have acquired higher degree cannot appear for lower courses. Those who have
completed a course either here or in any other universities will not be allowed to join the
same course with the same subjects again.
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Students will not be allowed to persue two full time courses at a time either in this
University or outside except for certain courses like Diploma/Certificate courses. Service
holders are not eligible to get admission in full time courses except Ph.D. Programmes.

The following statements signed by the Head / In-charge of the Department/ Centre and the
Principal of the Bhavana / Vibhaga shall be required for each applicant for admission to the
Semester or Annual Examinations:

a. That the candidate has satisfied him / her by the production of the certificate of a
competent authority that he / she has passed the examination which qualifies him / her
for admission to the examination;
b. That he / she has attended a regular course of study for the prescribed number of
academic years and has kept 75% attendance or has paid the short attendance fee.
c. Attendance: A student must keep a minimum of 75% attendance for each
Examination to sit for any examination. A maximum of 15% relaxation may be
permitted for a genuine reason on payment of a short attendance fee.
d. A candidate who for sickness or otherwise is unable to present himself / herself for
any examination shall not be entitled to claim a refund of his fees, but for sufficient
cause the candidate may be permitted to present himself / herself at the next ensuing
examination without payment of a further fee.

Conduct of Examinations & Discipline: The Schedule of Examinations (both Theory and
Practical) will be prepared and the same will be communicated to the respective Bhavanas
and Departments well in advance. Regarding sanction of writer or granting extra time for
physically disabled and blind student, the existing University Rule will apply.
a. Every candidate accepted by the University for admission to an examination shall be
issued an Admit Card by the University as per the Rules of the University showing
the name of the candidate and the roll number assigned to him / her for admission to
the examination.
b. A candidate may not be admitted into the examination hall, if he / she fails to present
to the In-Charge of the examination centre his / her admit card or to satisfy the
Officer that it will be produced within a reasonable time.
c. The In-Charge of the Examination Centre shall have power to call upon any candidate
appearing at an examination to give a specimen signature for purpose of
identification.
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d. Permission to appear at a University examination may be withdrawn before or during

the course of the examination for misconduct which in the opinion of the Upacharya
(Vice-Chancellor) justifies the candidate’s exclusion. The Upacharya’s decision shall
be final.

e. If a candidate for any University of determination owes any money to the University
on any account and fails to pay the money or has borrowed or has in his / her
possession any book, apparatus, kit or other property belonging to the University or
supplied by any other authority / agency and fails to return the same, the Upacharya
may withhold of the admit card of the candidate, or if the admit card has already been
issued, suspend the order of admission till all such money has been paid or such
property returned by the candidate.

f. No candidate shall assist or receive assistance from any other candidate at an

examination, or make use of any unfair means in connection with an examination.

g. No candidate shall bring with him / her into the examination hall any book or paper,
notes or other material capable of being used by him / her in connection with the
examination, nor shall he communicate to or receive from any other candidate any
information in the examination hall.

h. Any candidate detected in cheating or in making use of any dishonest or unfair means
in connection with an examination shall be reported to the Disciplinary Committee as
early as possible through the Examination Section by the superintendent of the
examination or by an examiner or by any other officer or authority of the University
as the case may be, and the Disciplinary Committee may, if satisfied that the facts
alleged are true and disclose premeditation on the part of the candidate, take
disciplinary action according to the existing Rules of the University. Examiner or any
other officer or authority of the University, as the case may be, and the Disciplinary
Committee may, if satisfied that finds alleged are true, but do not disclose any
premeditation, may take disciplinary action according to the existing Rules of the
University.

The Disciplinary Committee may recommend one of the following punishments for
cases of unfair means:
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Nature of unfair means Scale of Punishment suggested

a. Trying to help other candidates.
Cancel the University Examination of
b. Found consulting neighbours.
the particular paper only written by the
c. Appeal by the candidate in the
candidate.
answer script to show mercy by
way of awarding more than
deserving marks with or without a
promise.
d. Writing his /her name in the answer
script. Writing his/her registration
number in places other than
specified in the answer script. Any
special marking /irrelevant writing
in the answer script.

e. Found in possession of Cancel the University Examination of all

incriminating material
subjects registered (theory & practical) by
related/unrelated to the subject of
the examination concerned. the candidate in that session and debar
f. Found copying either from the him/her for the next examination session
possessed material or from a (i.e. all University Examinations in the
neighbour.
subsequent session).
g. Possession of mobile phones, i-
pods, electronic storage device(s) /
any other electronic gadgets (if not
used)
h. If the candidate has repeated the
unfair means shown above a
second time.
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i Inter-changing of answer scripts Cancel the University Examinations of all

j. Change of sheet of copying. subjects registered (theory & practical) by

k. Exchange of answer sheets or the candidate during that semester only.

relevant materials.
l. Writing some other candidate’s
registration number in the main
answer paper.

m. Insertion of pre-written answer Cancel the University Examinations of all

sheets (main sheets or additional subjects registered (theory & practical) by

sheets) the candidate for that session and debar

him/her for two subsequent examination
sessions.

n. Threatening the invigilator or Cancel the University Examination of all

insubordinate behavior as reported subjects registered (theory & practical) by
by the Centre Superintendent.
the candidate for that session and debar
him/ her for two years from registering and
appearing for the University Examination.

o. Cases of impersonation Cancel the University Examinations of all

subjects registered (theory & practical) by
the candidate for that session and debar
him/her for two hearts from registering and
appearing for the examination sessions.
Moreover, relevant legal action shall he
initiate if an outsider is involved.
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i. Provided that a candidate who is penalised for adopting unfair means in a University
examination and is debarred from being admitted to any future examination of the
University for period exceeding his permissible chance(s) to appear in such
examination be permitted to enrol himself / herself as an ex-student for the same
examination in which he was detected to have adopted unfair means on the
termination of the period of suspension imposed on him / her.
j. The number or permissible chance(s) to appear in any examination shall be three (3).
However one more chance may be given subject to approval of the Siksha-Samiti
(Academic Council).
k. All students shall be required to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the students
of a national institution of high reputation, within and outside the precincts of the
institution. Unsocial activities like ragging in any form shall not be permitted within
or outside the precincts of the institution and the students found indulging in same
shall be dealt with severely and dismissed from the University.

Time Extension & Writer: All the candidates with benchmark disability not availing
the facility of scribe may be allowed additional time of minimum of one hour for
examination of 3 hours duration. In case the duration of the examination is less than an
hour, then the duration of additional time should be allowed on pro-rata basis.
Additional time should not be less than 5 minutes and should be in the multiple of 5).
Physically unfit examinee, unable to write himself / herself may be provided with a
scribe should be one step below the qualification of the candidate taking examination to
write his / her examination answer scripts. For this they have to apply to the
Examination Section in a plain paper along with medical certificates and a photo copy
showing disability duly attested by the Medical officer well in advance before the
commencement of exam.

Results: The Results will be published by the University. Both the Semester and Final Mark
Sheets including annual system examination will be issued by the University as per the
existing Rules & Regulations. Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates will be awarded by the
University to successful students.

Commencement of Examinations: If in any Examination Centre the Centre Superintendent

is unable to hold the examination at the right time; after fifteen minutes, he/she will inform
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the Principal of the Bhavana/Vibhaga concerned and if both of them cannot control the
situation, the examination in the particular paper will be treated as cancelled for the semester
/ year. This should be reported to the Examination Section. In case the Principal is able to
control the situation within one hour from the time of commencement, the examination may
be held for the prescribed period after making necessary adjustments.

Completion of Examination: In a situation when the Centre Superintendent is unable to

close the examination within the prescribed time he/she will immediately inform same to the
Principal of the Bhavana/Vibhaga concerned, if both of them fail to pursue the students to
submit the answer scripts within half an hour, the examination in that particular paper will be
treated as cancelled for the semester / year. This should be reported to the Examination
Section. The above two clauses will not apply to those students who would start and complete
the writing of answer scripts as per prescribed Rules. If the same examination is held in
different examination Centres for some reasons, if examinations get cancelled at one Centre
then the entire examination for that Paper / Course will be treated as cancelled.

Evaluation of Answer Scripts: The Examiners appointed based on the recommendations of

the BOS, will evaluate the respective answer scripts.

Evaluation System: The evaluation system will consist of two components, (i) Continuous
evaluation through assignments, and (ii) Term-end examinations (Semester) or Annual
Examinations, as the case may be. In the final result, the relative weightage between
assignments (Continuous evaluation) and term-end examination will be governed by
University rule. The respective pass marks will be guided by University rule. For award of
grace marks, the existing Rule of the University will be followed.

Absence in a paper will lead to failure in that part. A student under Semester system will be
declared passed if he gets a minimum of 40% marks in each subject except the B.Sc(Ag)
(Hons.) and M.Sc.(Ag.) Courses. In these two Courses ICAR guidelines be followed.

Review of Answer Scripts: A Candidate may apply in prescribed form along with requisite
fees for review within 15 days from the date of publication of the results along with the
original mark sheet through on line. The application for review of answer scripts should reach
to the Examination Section within one week after completion of the 15 days from the date of
publication of results from the concerned Bhavana/Vibhaga/Department following the
prescribed formalities. The fees for review of the answer scripts shall not be refunded if the
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application is not received by the section within the stipulated time and no applications for
review of answer scripts shall be entertained thereafter. The system of re-examination should
be applicable only in the case of theoretical paper(s) / subjects, but not in the practical
paper(s) / subjects.

The rules for re-evaluation of the answer scripts will be followed as specified in the
Examination Ordinance.

Withdrawal of application of Re-evaluation of answer scripts: The candidates who apply

for re-evaluation of their answer scripts may be permitted to withdraw such applications on
written request to be submitted within three days from the last date of submission of
application for re-evaluation however the fees paid shall not be refunded.

Chances for Back Candidates: A candidate who fails in any paper will be eligible for two
normal and one special subsequent (consecutive) chance if approved by the competent
authority (Vice-Chancellor) to sit for the examination for that particular paper(s) as per the
existing Rules of the University. The students of the University pursuing their studies under
ICAR curriculum [B.Sc(Ag) & M.Sc (Ag)] and under NCTE curriculam for B.Ed & M.Ed
Courses, etc., shall get their respective chances as laid down in the ICAR, NCTE etc., norms.
If a student of Ph.D or M.Phil fails to qualify/pass in any of the courses in his/her regular
chance in any semester, one additional chance in the immediately succeeding academic
session shall be given and that shall be the final chance.

Grace Marks: A student appearing at any examination under Visva-Bharati may be

awarded, at the discretion of the respective examination committee, a grace marks of 2% of
total marks in a paper or papers subject to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 %
provided that this award helps the student to pass in that part of the Examination.

Cancellation of Examination: Cancellation of Examination may be permitted if an

application is received by the Examination Section within three days from the last day of the
examination to seek cancellation of the respective part of the examination in full. But in no
case the fees paid by the candidates shall be refunded.

Improvement of result: The University does not offer any scope for improvement of result
for any examinations.
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Internal Assessment: At least two Internal Assessment tests in each Paper/Course

preferably be taken by every Department /Centre of the University in each Semester(Odd and
Even) Examinations respectively. Marks obtained in continuous assessment by students
should be forwarded to the respective Head of the Department by the concerned course
teacher to at least two weeks before the date of the commencement of terminal examination
of the given semester. The concerned Head of the Department shall arrange to display the
marks on the Notice Board for at least seven days before forwarding it to Examination
Section. In case any student finds any error in his/her marks, he/she should apply in writing to
the Head of the Department concerned within a specified period for necessary correction of
the marks. The Head of the Department will after scrutiny enter the correct marks. The
Internal Assessment marks to be reached to Examination Section before commencement of
the Examination in alphabetic order. No change in the Internal Assessment marks will be
permitted after they have been forwarded to the Examination Section.

U.G, P.G, M.Phil & Ph. D. Coursework Examination:

Normally, the student is expected to complete his/her programme within the minimum period
as laid down under the relevant Regulation of the University which should be in conformity
with the UGC Regulations on the award of First Degree (Under Graduate) and Masters
Degree (Post Graduate).

Ordinarily, no student should be given time beyond the extended period of three years.
However, in exceptional circumstances and on the basis of the merits of each case University
may allow a student one more year for completion of the programme.

a. The University shall follow the Choice Based Credit System in UG level. However
semester system will continue in PG /M.Phil & Ph.D Course Work Examination.
b. An academic year consists of two semesters with instructional contact of four months
in each semester.
(1) Odd Semester (I , III and V, etc., Semesters): July to December
(2) Even Semester (II , IV and VI, etc., Semesters): January to June

c. A candidate should secure minimum pass marks stipulated in all the courses offered
in each Semester. Pass marks for each (Credited) Theory and Practical Course
(Honours, Optional and Allied) shall be 40% of total marks in that course. Pass marks
for Non-credited courses shall be 33% of total marks in each Course inclusive of
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internal assessment marks. However the Pass marks for M Phil and PhD course work
Examination is 50% of total marks.

d. A candidate who fails to secure at least 40% marks in any Credited Course and 33%
marks in any Non-credited Course of a Semester Examination shall be declared to
have failed in that Course. The candidate may appear as a Back Candidate in that
Course in the next corresponding Semester Examination. He / She shall have three
consecutive chances to pass in that course starting with the first chance. However for
M Phil and PhD coursework examinations the students will get only one additional
chance to clear the backlogs starting with the first chance.

e. Repeater: A candidate who fails to secure required percentage of attendance shall

have to repeat all the Courses of the Semester at the next available chance. He/She
shall appear in the internal and terminal examinations after filling the requisite
examination form and then only be allowed to do the next Semester. During the
duration of one course a student will be able to repeat maximum of two times.
f. Re-admission: Regular Students who discontinue their studies can rejoin the
same course after obtaining prior sanction from the University. In this regard the
students will have to clear session charge including tution fees, etc,. After re-
admission, the examinations can be in continuation to the previous ones provided
the scheme and syllabus remains the same. Otherwise all the papers will have to
be attempted again.
g. Medium in writing Examination shall ordinarily be English; exceptions may be
made in cases of studies/ research in Languages.

Appointment and Duties of Examiners and Moderators: Duties and responsibilities of

Paper Setters, Moderators, Head Examiners, Examiners, Re-Examiners and Invigilators will
be governed by the relevant Ordinances. For obtaining the necessary declaration about their
near relations appearing in the examination, the existing Rule of the University will apply.

a. All semester examinations shall normally be held in the summer (May-

June) and in the winter (November – December). However the annual
examinations shall be held on such dates as notified by the University.

b. Examiners for the different examinations will be appointed immediately

preceding the examination.
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c. If any examiner, for any reason, unable to act, the Upacharya (vice-
Chancellor) shall appoint an examiner to fill the vacancy.

d. Examiners for different examinations shall be responsible to submit the

award sheet including the evaluated answer scripts of each course/ paper to
the examination section within ten days after completion of the concerned
paper or course for early publication of the results in the academic interest
of the students.

Confidential Mark sheet: Candidates who have taken their final year exams can apply in
prescribed form for Confidential Mark sheet before the publication of the results, for
employment and educational purposes. This mark sheet will be sent only to the Head of the
Institution concerned showing marks of each paper. However for this purpose the candidate
has to apply along with requisite fees.

Transcript: Transcripts from the University contains the marks of each subject from first to
end semester. This is then placed in an envelope which is sealed and stamped / signed across
the back-flap. Transcripts are usually used by candidates to apply for permanent residency,
higher education, visa, H1B, immigration etc. Each set of transcripts / attested mark-sheets
from the University is issued in a separate sealed and stamped/signed envelope. Mark-sheets
(Including if any failed/ re-attempts), Degree certificate and requisite fees to be attached
along with application form. Processing time is 30 working days to issue transcripts.

Issuance of Degree: After declaration of final result of the programs each successful
candidate shall receive a Degree / Certificate in prescribed format with the seal and signature
of the Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Rank Certificate: Rank Certificate will be issued to the rank holders of the first 3 positions.
The candidates who have passed all examinations, within the minimum prescribed period,
conducted by the University in first attempt without any grace marks may get rank certificate
Students will get it as and when the entire revaluation process is over. Rank certificate will be
issued till the 3rd rank. The candidate has to apply in prescribed form along with requisite
fees. If a candidate avails of any additional chance(s) to pass the Examination his/her name
shall not be included in the merit list.
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Duplicate Certificate: Duplicate Degree Certificate, Migration Certificate, P.D.C, mark

sheets may be obtained after producing an FIR along with the requisite fees and an
application in standard format to get duplicate certificate.

Correction of old Certificates / Marksheets- If some defects identified and brought to the
notice of the University either by the candidate or otherwise for necessary corrections, in that
case he/she may be allowed to get duplicate Certificate / Marksheet after following due
procedure and no General Diary for the same is required.

Correction of Date of Birth: No change in the date of birth once recorded in the Board’s
(School Certificate Examination) records shall be made. However, corrections to incorrect
typographical and other errors to make the certificate consistent with the school records may
be made provided that corrections in the school records should not have been made after the
submission of application form for admission to School Certificate Examination. Such
correction in the date of birth of a candidate in case of genuine clerical errors may be made
after establishing that the wrong entry was made erroneously in the list of candidates /
application form of the candidate for the examination.

Signatory Authority: The Upacharya (Vice-Chancellor) of the University shall put his/her
signature on each Certificate of the different degree course examinations conducted by the
University. The Karma Sachiva (Registrar) of the University shall put his/her signature on the

Certificates of School Examinations, Diploma and Certificates (excepting . The In-Charge

of the Examinations or in his/her absence the Assistant Registrar(Examinations) shall put

his/her signature on each Marksheets, declaration of Results and Admit Cards of the
different examinations.

Certificate/Transcript etc., for the Associate Institutions: The students of the Associate
Institutions whose Registration Number were generated by Visva-Bharati and examinations
were conducted by Visva-Bharati, (whose records are with Visva-Bharati) may be eligible to
get the Migrations Certificates / Transcripts / Duplicate of the Marksheets from Visva-Bharati
after following due procedure.

The students of the Associate Institutions who were admitted by the concerned Institutions
and whose Registration Number were generated by the concerned Institute not by Visva-
Bharati and the Examinations were solely conducted by them, may be eligible to get the
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attestation of the Marksheet / Certificate from Visva-Bharati subject to the application routed
through the concerned Associate Institutes. The University authority shall put the signature
after necessary verification on the Duplicate Certificate on receipt of Certificate from the
Institution where the candidate had taken admission.

The student whose Institutions have already been closed, may get the attestation of the
Marksheet and Transcript/ Duplicate of Certificate from Visva-Bharati subject to the
availability of records at Visva-Bharati.

Revision of regulation and Curriculum: The competent authority may from time to time
revise, amend and change the regulations and the curriculum, if found necessary.

Removal of Difficulties: Notwithstanding anything contained in the above Rule, the

Vice‐Chancellor may take such measures as may be necessary for removal of difficulties
from time to time and shall be applicable as per orders.