The decision was taken by the Academic Council at its meeting held on July 1 and is applicable only to the first batch of students enrolled under the revised ordinances.
As per the circular issued by the University on Wednesday, students who have completed the requirements of Semesters I to IV and have not more than five backlog courses taken together will be eligible for admission to the third year.
The University has also permitted students awaiting the results of Semester IV or repeat examinations to attend third-year classes provisionally until the declaration of results. However, such students must submit an undertaking agreeing that their provisional admission will be withdrawn if they fail to meet the relaxed eligibility criteria. No fees will be collected from provisionally admitted students until their eligibility is confirmed, while those who have already paid fees may apply for a refund, wherever applicable.
The circular further directs all students admitted under OC-81 and OC-82 to submit a signed affidavit acknowledging the progression, attendance and other academic requirements under the ordinances. Principals have also been instructed to conduct orientation programmes to familiarise students with these rules.
The University clarified that this relaxation is a one-time concession only for progression to the third year and will not apply to admissions to the fourth or fifth year of the integrated law programme.
The decision follows demands by the Goa unit of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), which last week staged a protest outside the Vice Chancellor's office seeking a one-time relaxation. The student body had argued that many students faced the prospect of losing an academic year due to pending backlogs and sought provisional admissions or a one-time exemption, stating that students had not been adequately informed about the strict implementation of the ordinance.
