Annamalai students confront TNAU over ‘NOC’ for PG seats

The students claimed that though they have passed the entrance exam for admission to PG courses, the TNAU is unfairly treating them by asking for a no-objection certificate (NOC). 

Over 100 students had come with their parents to attend the counselling session that commenced on Monday. 

The university staff wanted the students to produce a NOC to take part in counselling and asked them not to pay any fees until then. However, the students claimed that they had already paid the fees online after clearing the entrance exam on August 10. 

“We received a mail from TNAU two days ago asking us not to pay the fees, besides making it mandatory for us to submit a NOC from our previous institution. We have no other option but to register our strong protest against this discrimination,” said a student, requesting anonymity. 

However, in a statement, the TNAU said that post-graduation admission was called for with an eligibility condition that only candidates from State agricultural universities and ICAR accredited institutes will be admitted. 

Further, the candidates were allowed to write the written examination with a condition that they have to produce either a NOC or ICAR accreditation certificate from the institute where they last studied. The same was exercised by obtaining as undertaking duly signed by the candidate before the written examination, the statement added. 

“In addition, the short-listed candidates from non-South Asian University’s and non-ICAR accredited institutes were adequately informed through website, e-mail and call letter. The admission of shortlisted candidates will be considered once if they submit no objection or accreditation from ICAR,” said the statement.