Mangaluru: Students, parents and college managements have urged Mangalore University (MU) to reconsider its decision to conduct semester examinations during the Christmas and New Year break. The appeal comes after the university scheduled exams on December 29, 30 and 31, and January 1, 2026, despite the academic calendar declaring the period from December 25 to January 1 as holidays. For decades, institutions under MU have traditionally observed an extended Christmas break, a practice rooted in the region’s academic history.
Long-standing holiday tradition questioned
Many stakeholders expressed disappointment that the university had once again planned examinations during the festive season, recalling that the same situation occurred last year. At that time, MU rescheduled the exams only after strong opposition from colleges.
A senior professor criticised MU’s stance, stating that Christmas–New Year holidays have been observed in the districts under MU since the time they were part of Madras University. This tradition continued under Mysore University and Karnataka University, and Mangalore University too followed it until last year.
“The reasons given by university officials are unsatisfactory. They argue that the semester is delayed and further postponement will affect the upcoming semester. But extending holidays for a week is not going to change anything significant,” he said.
Students question feasibility
The examination schedule has caused anxiety among students, especially those who travel home for the holidays. Many said that the Christmas week is usually filled with family gatherings, religious events and social functions. For students from other states, returning to Mangaluru midway through the celebrations becomes impractical.
“During the holidays, most of us go home to be with our families. There are also many family functions. How will we attend them if exams are scheduled right in the middle?” a student asked.
Parents echoed the concerns, emphasising that the festive break is one of the few opportunities students get to spend time with their loved ones. They also noted that sudden exam schedules disrupt travel plans and increase the emotional stress on students.
MU cites academic delay as reason
H. Devendrappa, registrar (evaluation) at Mangalore University, clarified that several colleges had opposed conducting exams during the Christmas break, while some private colleges had suggested holding them at the earliest due to extended semester classes.
“The delay of exams will lead to several issues. Therefore, the examinations are scheduled during the Christmas and New Year break after consultation with all stakeholders,” he said. He maintained that the university had tried to strike a balance between academic requirements and stakeholder suggestions.
Balancing academics and tradition
While MU has argued that the academic calendar is already under pressure due to the extended semester, many critics believe that the institution must respect long-standing regional traditions. They stressed that students’ well-being and mental preparedness should be prioritised, especially during an important festive season.
College managements said that the university’s decision was taken without fully considering the practical challenges students face, particularly those living in hostels or away from their families. They insisted that a more student-friendly schedule would ease stress and prevent unnecessary disruptions.
Conclusion
The ongoing debate highlights the growing tension between academic scheduling demands and cultural traditions. Stakeholders continue to request Mangalore University to reconsider the examination dates, hoping for a solution that accommodates both academic integrity and festive observance. With last year’s precedent of rescheduling, many believe that the university may once again revisit its decision in response to collective concerns.