Exam Dormancy Explained
Mumbai University has taken a significant step by declaring 304 examinations as dormant. This means these specific papers will cease to be part of the university's
examination calendar going forward. The rationale behind this decision is twofold: firstly, 125 of these papers have experienced no student registrations for the past two to three years, indicating a lack of interest or relevance. Secondly, a larger chunk of 179 papers are based on obsolete syllabi or old examination patterns that have been phased out by the university for at least a decade. This move is a regular part of academic course restructuring, aiming to streamline offerings and focus on current educational needs. While these exams will no longer be conducted, the university has introduced a provision: if an affiliated college proposes student registration for a dormant paper due to a lack of student interest, examinations for that specific course might still be organized. However, a strict caveat applies to papers that have been closed for ten years; these will not be revived under any circumstances, ensuring a definitive closure for outdated academic offerings.
Categorization of Dormant Exams
The 304 dormant examinations have been meticulously categorized into two distinct groups to address varying reasons for their discontinuation. The first category comprises 125 papers that have seen a complete absence of student enrollment over the last two to three years. This lack of student participation suggests these subjects may no longer be in demand or are perhaps being covered by newer, more relevant courses. The second and larger category includes 179 examinations that are being declared dormant because they are tied to syllabus structures or examination formats that were officially discontinued a decade ago. This aspect often arises when students, needing to clear backlogs, attempt exams under older patterns even after syllabus revisions. The university's decision is particularly focused on ensuring that only current and relevant academic programs are being assessed, thereby optimizing the examination process. It's important to note that this is not the first time exams have been declared dormant; a similar measure was taken in 2007, though it primarily focused on papers with no registration, while old-pattern papers still offered opportunities.
Faculty-wise Breakdown
An in-depth look at the 304 dormant examinations reveals a distribution across various academic faculties, offering insight into where these changes are most pronounced. Within the 125 papers that have recorded no student registrations for several years, the Faculty of Commerce and Management accounts for 23 papers. The Faculty of Humanities sees 15 papers discontinued under this criterion, while Interdisciplinary Studies has 42 such papers. The Faculty of Science and Technology contributes a significant 45 papers to this category. Shifting to the 179 papers that have been dormant for a decade due to outdated courses, the Faculty of Science and Technology has 10 examinations on this list. The Faculty of Humanities accounts for a substantial 86 papers in this group. Interdisciplinary Studies has 42 papers classified as dormant due to outdated course structures, and the Faculty of Science and Technology also has 45 papers in this older category, indicating a broad impact across disciplines. This detailed breakdown highlights the comprehensive nature of the university's effort to modernize its academic offerings.
