COIMBATORE: Persistent delays in conducting classes and examinations for several postgraduate courses under the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme offered by the Bharathiar University have extended the duration of the courses for nearly 2,000 students by an additional full year. The students, belonging to the 2024-2026 batch, lamented that the institution has so far conducted examinations for only two semesters, instead of four, which they alleged has derailed their career plans.
The university offers 14 postgraduate courses under its ODL programme. For the 2024 batch, the two-year courses, as per the university schedule, commenced in July 2024 and should conclude in July 2026. However, the classes for even the very first semester commenced only in December 2024, four months after the study materials were distributed in August 2024, claimed one of the affected students.
An MBA student in Tiruppur, on condition of anonymity, told TNIE, "Live classes, held on weekends at the university, were conducted until March 2025. After a three-month gap, the first-semester examinations were conducted in July 2025. The live classes for the second semester began on August 21 and concluded on December 14. But the second-semester examinations started only on April 28, 2026."
Further, the student said the university has not yet announced the practical examinations for the Computer Applications course, raising uncertainties over the commencement of third-year classes. "We have been forced to extend our studies by another year. If the university had conducted all four semesters as per the schedule, I would have secured a job using the certificate by now," she added.
Another student from Coimbatore alleged that a delay on the part of some faculty members in conducting classes and a lack of communication caused the delays.
According to sources from the university, the delay in conducting classes and examinations has now trickled down to the subsequent batch of students, who joined in 2025. Sources alleged a lack of coordination between the Examination Department and the School of Distance Education. Moreover, the director post of the School of Distance Education has been lying vacant for over 10 years, contributing to the delays, added sources.
Bharathiar University School of Distance Education Director (in-charge) P Chellasamy, however, told TNIE that the classes are being conducted as per the UGC norms. Acknowledging the delay in conducting examinations, he said, "The Examination Department has to concurrently conduct examinations for students of regular university departments and affiliated colleges. Steps have been taken to complete the courses soon."
When contacted, Registrar R Rajavel claimed that he was unaware of the extent of the delays and told TNIE that he would take steps to expedite the remaining semesters.