Attendance Requirements & Exam Eligibility at PAU | Guide 3

Attendance Requirements & Exam Eligibility: Don't Skip Those Classes!

Posted by: Dr. Singh Category: Academic Excellence Read Time: 8 minutes

Introduction

"I'll just miss today's class and catch up later." That decision might cost you your entire semester. PAU has strict attendance requirements that can make or break your academic year. This guide explains why attendance matters, what the requirements are, and what happens if you don't meet them.

Why Attendance Matters

University Perspective

Attendance requirements serve important purposes: Rule 7.2.2

1. Ensures learning continuity - Regular class attendance helps you grasp concepts progressively
2. Maintains academic standards - In-person interaction with instructors ensures quality education
3. Discipline and professionalism - Teaches time management and responsibility
4. Accountability - Tracks student engagement in their education

Your Perspective

Regular attendance directly impacts:

• Better grades - Students who attend regularly score higher Rule 7.6
• Deeper understanding - Hearing explanations directly from instructors clarifies confusion
• Practical skills - Lab and practical classes teach hands-on techniques
• Networking - Building relationships with faculty and classmates
• Exam eligibility - You literally cannot sit for exams if attendance is low Rule 7.2.2

Attendance Requirements by Level

For Undergraduate Students

Minimum required attendance: 75% in each course Rule 7.2.2

What this means:

• If a course has 40 classes, you must attend at least 30 (75% of 40)
• If a course has 60 classes, you must attend at least 45 (75% of 60)

📌 Special Courses:
Experiential Learning Programme (ELP) courses: 85% minimum attendance Rule 7.2.2
Higher requirement because these are hands-on, skill-based courses.

Both count:

• Lectures (theory classes)
• Practicals/lab sessions

You cannot just attend lectures and skip practicals—both must meet the 75% threshold separately for most courses.

For Postgraduate Students

Minimum required attendance: 80% in each course Rule 7.2.2

What this means:

• Higher standard than undergraduates
• If a course has 40 classes, you must attend at least 32 (80% of 40)
• Professional expectation for advanced studies

Both count:

• Lectures and seminars
• Lab work and research sessions

Consequences of Low Attendance

You Cannot Appear in Exams

⚠️ Critical Rule:
If your attendance falls below the minimum, you are barred from appearing in end-of-semester exams for both theory and practical exams. Rule 7.2.2
This is the most severe consequence—missing exams automatically results in failing the course.

Automatic Course Failure

If you can't sit for exams:

• You get an F grade (Fail) Rule 6.1.2
• Zero credit points
• Must retake the course
• Affects your GPA

For Research Credits (Postgrad Students)

If your attendance in research falls below 80%: Rule 7.2.2

• You receive US grade (Unsatisfactory) Rule 6.1.3.4(a)
• Research credits don't count toward graduation
• Must continue and improve next semester

How Attendance is Tracked

Attendance Register

Each instructor maintains:

• Daily attendance register or roll sheet
• Physical or digital records
• Notes about absences

Students are responsible for:

• Signing or confirming attendance
• Being present at roll call time
• Notifying instructor of valid absences

Mid-Semester Report

During week 11 (mid-semester exam time):

• Instructors report attendance to the Dean Rule 6.1(b)
• Names of students below 75% (undergrad) or 80% (postgrad) are flagged
• Low attendance students are notified
• You still have time to improve attendance after mid-semester report

Monitoring by Faculty

Your instructor:

• Notes pattern of absences
• May contact you about frequent missing
• Can recommend dropping a course if attendance drops critically Rule 5.1
• Reports to advisor and Dean

Valid Reasons for Absence

Medically Approved Absences

With medical certificate:

• Illness (even 1-2 days, if certified)
• Medical emergencies
• Hospitalization
• Doctor-prescribed rest

Acceptable certificates from: Rule 6.1.1

• University Medical Officer / CMO
• Civil Hospital
• Recognized private hospitals
• Senior Medical Officer at PAU Hospital
• Assistant Civil Surgeon

How to proceed:

1. Get medical certificate from recognized source
2. Inform your instructor
3. Submit to Dean's office Rule 6.1.1
4. May be exempted from that day's attendance count

University-Deputed Absences

You can be absent for university-approved activities:

• Sports events - Tournaments, coaching camps
• Cultural events - University-organized festivals, competitions
• NCC/NSS/NSO activities - Camps and training programs Rule 8.1
• Academic activities - Field research, conferences, seminars
• Inter-university competitions - AUP federations events

Requirements:

• Must be officially deputed by the university Rule 6.1.1
• Director of Students' Welfare provides authentication
• Advance notice to instructors preferred
• Provide official deputation letter to Dean

Other Legitimate Absences

Family emergencies (rare cases):

• Death in immediate family
• Critical family medical emergency
• Legal requirements (court appearances)

How to handle:

1. Notify Dean immediately
2. Provide documentation if required Rule 6.1.1
3. May not be automatically excused—Dean decides
4. Usually limited to 1-2 days

What's NOT a Valid Reason

• Personal vacation or travel plans
• Job interview (not during university time)
• Part-time work schedule conflict
• Shopping or errands
• Birthday or celebration
• Weather inconvenience
• Oversleeping

Managing Your Attendance

Calculate Your Current Attendance

Formula: Classes attended ÷ Total classes held = Attendance %

Example:

• Attended: 36 classes
• Total held: 50 classes
• Your attendance: 36 ÷ 50 = 72% (BELOW 75% requirement!)

Red Flags: When Attendance Gets Critical

🚨 Attendance Status:

• 75-80%: WARNING! You're just barely meeting requirements. One or two more absences could disqualify you
• 70-74%: CRITICAL! You're below minimum and cannot take exams unless you attend every remaining class
• Below 70%: In danger of failing—attend every single class remaining in the semester

Plan to Maintain Attendance

At the start of semester:

1. Mark all class times on your calendar
2. Plan your schedule around classes
3. Identify potential conflicts early
4. Discuss with your advisor

Each week:

1. Check your attendance status
2. Plan to attend upcoming classes
3. Notify instructors in advance if you'll be absent
4. Keep copies of medical/deputation certificates

At mid-semester:

1. Review attendance report from instructors Rule 6.1(b)
2. Calculate your percentage in each course
3. If below threshold, increase attendance immediately
4. Talk to instructors about any issues

Handling Conflicts

If you have a work conflict:

• Discuss with employer—explain university requirement
• Request schedule adjustment
• Ask for days off around class times

If you have a medical issue:

• Get certificates immediately
• Provide to Dean's office
• May be able to get attendance exemption

Special Situations

Practical/Lab Attendance is Mandatory

Practicals are not optional:

• You cannot skip practical sessions to attend other classes
• Both theory and practical must meet minimum attendance Rule 6.1.3.1
• Missing practicals affects your grade even if theory attendance is fine
• Practicals teach hands-on skills that lectures cannot

If you have a schedule conflict with practical:

• Contact your department head immediately
• Request an alternative practical slot
• Some departments offer multiple practical sessions
• Don't assume you can skip

Research Attendance (Postgraduate Students)

Research work requires 80% attendance: Rule 7.2.2

• Show up to lab/field work regularly
• Maintain research notebook
• Participate in group meetings
• Communicate progress to advisor

Low research attendance results in:

• US (Unsatisfactory) grade Rule 6.1.3.4(a)
• Credits don't count for graduation
• Must continue research next semester

What to Do If Your Attendance Drops

Immediate Action Plan

Step 1: Check Your Attendance (Week 5-6)

• Calculate attendance in each course
• Identify courses where you're below 75%/80%

Step 2: Talk to Your Instructor

• Explain your situation
• Ask for their input
• Ask if there are make-up attendance options

Step 3: Meet Your Advisor

• Review why attendance dropped Rule 5.1
• Discuss course difficulty
• Consider dropping a course
• Plan for recovery

Step 4: Communicate with Dean

• If you have medical issues, provide certificates
• If you have valid reasons, explain to Dean
• Request help or exceptions

Step 5: Attend Every Remaining Class

• Commit to 100% attendance going forward
• No more absences if possible
• Focus on improving your standing

Key Takeaways

📌 Remember: Rule 7.2.2, Rule 6.1.2, Rule 6.1.3.4(a)

• 75% minimum for undergraduates; 80% for postgraduates
• Low attendance = barred from exams = automatic failure
• Attendance includes both theory and practicals
• Medical certificates and deputation letters are your only excuses Rule 6.1.1
• Mid-semester report is your warning system Rule 6.1(b)
• Plan your schedule around classes from day one
• Communicate with instructors and dean if issues arise
• Don't skip classes thinking you'll catch up later

Key Contacts for Attendance Help

📞 Need Help?

• Your Instructor: First point of contact
• Your Academic Advisor: For guidance and planning Rule 5.1
• Your Dean's office: For approvals and exceptions
• Director of Students' Welfare: For deputation and special cases
• Email: registrar@pau.edu
• Phone: +91-161-2400945, +91-161-2401960-79

Disclaimer: This is a simplified guide based on PAU's official Semester & Hostel Rules 2025-26. For complete details, refer to official university documents or contact the Registrar's office.

Last Updated: October 2025

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