PAU Semester & Hostel Rules: A Student's Guide

Making Academic Life Easier to Understand

Source: Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Semester and Hostel Rules 2025-26
Purpose: This guide simplifies the official rules into practical tips for students.

PART 1: SEMESTER SYSTEM BASICS

What is the Semester System?

PAU follows a semester system where the academic year (July to June) is divided into two 21-week semesters. Instead of one big annual exam, you have continuous evaluation through:

Tests and quizzes
Assignments and lab work
Mid-semester exams
End-of-semester exams

Why this system? It encourages regular study, reduces exam stress, and helps you clear concepts gradually.

PART 2: REGISTRATION & ADMISSION

First Semester Registration

When you get admitted:

Pay your fees by the deadline (usually before coursework begins)
Get registered for your first semester
The university allows late admission up to one week after classes start (with permission)
Missing registration without a valid reason will result in a fine

Action item: Don't miss registration deadlines—penalties apply!

Registering for Subsequent Semesters

Register on the designated date to avoid late fees
You have up to 3 working days after the deadline to register with a late fee
In exceptional cases, the Dean may waive the late fee
You can register in absentia through your advisor if you're away for legitimate university reasons

Pro tip: Mark registration dates on your calendar and register early.

PART 3: COURSES & CREDITS

Adding and Dropping Courses

Adding a course: You have until 3 weeks into the semester
Dropping a course: You must drop before mid-semester exams
Important rule: If you add a course late, you cannot drop it
Course changes require a fee (unless the Dean approves it)

Credit Load Limits

Undergraduate students:

Normal: 18 credit hours per semester
Maximum: 26 credits (28 if you're in "Good Standing")
Minimum: 12 credits

Postgraduate students:

Normal: 18 credit hours per semester
Maximum: 22 credits
Minimum: 9 credits

What is "Good Standing"? An overall GPA of 5.50 (on a scale of 10) for undergrads.

PART 4: ACADEMIC ADVISORS

Your Advisor's Role

Every student is assigned an advisor who helps you:

Choose courses that match your goals
Decide your credit load each semester
Monitor your progress
Guide you through academic challenges

Attend advisor meetings regularly—they monitor your progress and can recommend course changes if needed.

PART 5: GRADES & EVALUATION

How You're Evaluated

Your grade is based on:

Short tests: Announced a week in advance
Mid-semester exam: During week 11 (lasts at least 1 hour)
End-of-semester exam: Last 2+ hours, covers everything (35% minimum of total marks)
Lab work, assignments, seminars: Continuous evaluation

Understanding Grades

Each course gets credit points (on a scale of 10):

100% = 10.00 points
95% = 9.50 points
50% = 5.00 points
And so on...

Pass marks:

Undergrads: 50% in both theory AND practical
Postgrads: 60% in both theory AND practical

F grade = Fail (below 50% for undergrads, below 60% for postgrads) W grade = Withdrawn (when you officially drop a course) S grade = Satisfactory (for research work) US grade = Unsatisfactory (for research work)

What Happens If You Fail?

You must retake the course when it's offered
For retakes, attendance in theory is optional (but you must attend practicals and all exams)
These courses are marked as "special courses"
If you fail again, you must retake it as a regular course

PART 6: EXAMS & MISSING THEM

If You Miss an Exam

You can apply for a make-up exam within 3 working days if you have a valid reason:

Medical emergency (with certificate from a recognized hospital)
University-deputed activities (sports/cultural events)
Hospitalization during exam

Get permission from: Your advisor → Instructor → Head of Department

Compartment Exams (Undergrads Only)

If you score below passing marks in theory but pass practical:

You can take a compartment exam
Maximum: 3 compartment exams per semester
Only one attempt per compartment exam
Fees apply

Re-evaluation of Answer Sheets

Unhappy with your marks? You can request re-evaluation:

Limit: Up to 50% of courses registered (or 3 courses, whichever is less)
Fee: Prescribed amount
Timeline: Apply within 15 days of results
Capping: Marks can increase by maximum 5% (unless there was an error)
Result: Within 3 working days

PART 7: ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

You Must Attend Classes

Undergraduates: Minimum 75% attendance in each course (85% for special experiential learning courses)
Postgraduates: Minimum 80% attendance in each course

If you fall short: You cannot appear in the end-of-semester exam.

What counts as attendance? Both lectures AND practicals.

PART 8: GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

How Long Can You Study?

Program	Minimum	Normal	Maximum
Bachelor's (4-year)	6 semesters	8 semesters	12 semesters
Master's	4 semesters	4 semesters	10 semesters
Ph.D.	5 semesters	6 semesters	14 semesters

Important: If you exceed the maximum, you're no longer a student of the university.

Minimum GPA for Graduation

Undergraduates: Must maintain an overall GPA of 5.50 (on a scale of 10)
Postgraduates: Must maintain an overall GPA of 6.50 (on a scale of 10)

Scholastic Probation

If you don't meet the minimum GPA at the end of a semester:

You're placed on scholastic probation the next semester
You get one semester to improve your GPA
If you still don't improve, you may be dropped from the university

You can petition for re-admission if dropped.

Repeating Courses

If you score 5.00-5.49 in a course:

You can repeat it (with Dean's permission) to improve your GPA
Repetition is allowed only once
It's meant to help you meet the minimum GPA, not for merit improvement
Both scores appear in your record, but the new attempt is marked with "r"

PART 9: ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Using Unfair Means (Cheating)

In short tests/mid-semester exams:

Debarred from college/university for the rest of the semester
Failed in all courses that semester

In final exams:

Failed in all courses
Placed on conduct probation for 2 semesters
Second offense: Debarred from the next semester too

What counts as unfair means?

Copying material in exam
Using mobile phones or Bluetooth devices
Any form of cheating

Impersonation (Pretending to be Another Student)

Failed in all courses
Debarred from registration for 1 semester
Conduct probation for 2 semesters

If caught during entrance test: Admission is cancelled, and you're barred from PAU admission for 2 years.

PART 10: OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

NCC/NSS/NSO (First Year Students)

Every first-year student must participate in ONE of:

NCC (National Cadet Corps)
NSO (National Sports Organization)
NSS (National Service Scheme)

Exemptions: Medical grounds (with certificate).

Educational Tour

All undergraduate students must go on one compulsory educational tour. You get an "S" (Satisfactory) or "US" (Unsatisfactory) grade.

Exemptions: Medical reasons or if you were deputed for university sports/NCC/NSS camps.

PART 11: TRANSFERS & MULTIPLE ENTRY/EXIT

Lateral Entry/Migration to PAU

If you studied 1st year elsewhere and want to transfer to PAU:

Your first institution must have the same education system (English medium)
You must have scored 7.00+ GPA (on scale of 10)
You must not have failed any course or been on probation
Migration is allowed only from State Agricultural Universities or ICAR institutes
Apply at least one month before semester starts

Exiting with a Degree from Elsewhere

If you want to leave PAU mid-program and complete your degree elsewhere:

You must have completed at least 1 year at PAU
You must have passed all first-year courses
Credits can be transferred via the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)

PART 12: HOSTEL RULES

Who Can Stay in Hostels?

✓ Regular undergraduate/postgraduate students
✓ In-service postgraduate students (from outstation)
✗ Students whose parents live in Ludhiana (unless space available)
✗ In-service students claiming house rent allowance

Note: Students stay in hostels only for the duration of their degree program.

Room Allotment

Based on: Merit and seniority
Postgrads: Get priority over undergrads
Room changes: Not allowed without Warden's permission
Roommates: Usually same class (exception: real brothers)

Hostel Timings

Girls' Hostels:

Winter (Nov 1 - Feb 28): Until 7:00 PM
Summer (Mar 1 - Oct 31): Until 8:00 PM

Boys' Hostels:

Winter: Until 9:00 PM
Summer: Until 10:00 PM

Hostel Rules You Must Follow

✓ DO:

Attend night roll-call (7:30 PM winter, 8:00 PM summer)
Get permission from Warden before leaving hostel at night
Join the mess (mandatory)
Request written permission for keeping family guests
Keep your room clean and furniture intact
Use proper language with hostel staff and peers
Report any issues to the Warden

✗ DON'T:

Keep fire-arms, weapons, or alcohol in the hostel
Park four-wheelers near hostel premises
Deface walls or hostel property
Block toilets/wash basins
Use electric heaters, rods, or high-wattage bulbs (max 60W)
Keep mobile guests in girls' hostels or female guests in boys' hostels
Engage in ragging or teasing
Disturb others with noise or music
Leave without handing over your room to the Supervisor
Cycle or ride vehicles on lawns/verandahs

Hostel Fees & Dues

Utensils/crockery/breakage fund: Collected annually
Common room fund: Collected per semester
All dues must be cleared before registration for next semester
Outstanding fees for more than 1 month: You're not allowed to stay in hostel
Degree/certificate withheld if hostel dues not cleared

Guests in Hostels

Parents/siblings: Allowed in exceptional cases (written permission required)
Lady guests: NOT allowed in boys' hostels
Male guests: NOT allowed in girls' hostels
Guest register: Write guest name and your signature
No permission? Expulsion from hostel

Discipline & Punishments

Minor violations: Warning and/or fine up to Rs. 1,000

Serious violations:

Fighting or factional fights: Expulsion from hostel/university
Alcohol or weapons: Immediate expulsion
Repeated misconduct: Hostel seat cancelled
Ragging: Severe disciplinary action (includes suspension, rustication, or expulsion)

Withdrawal from Hostel

To withdraw from hostel:

Clear all dues and fines
Return all hostel items
Hand over your room charge to Supervisor/Clerk
Get written approval from Warden
Submit application with parent/guardian signature to Director Students' Welfare

Note: You pay fees until your name is formally withdrawn.

Leave from Hostel

College leave ≠ Hostel leave (Get separate permission)
Get Warden's approval before leaving
Absence at night roll-call: Fine imposed
Whole-night absence without permission: Serious misconduct
After roll-call (7:30/8:00 PM), inform Warden if emergency arises

Maintenance & Cleanliness

Lawns: Don't cross them; report damage
Toilets: Don't throw papers or materials; use gently; pull chain gently
Taps: Close after use
Wash basins: Keep clean; don't block with sand
Walls/doors: Don't deface
Spitting: Avoid everywhere

Electricity Usage

Switch off lights/fans when not in use
Bulb limit: 60 watts
Prohibited: Electric heaters, rods, high-power appliances
Penalty: Rs. 500 fine + confiscation of device
Don't tamper with fittings—call electrician for repairs

PART 13: GENERAL DISCIPLINE & CONDUCT

Acts of Indiscipline

Serious violations include:

Ragging or teasing juniors
Violent behavior or fights
Threatening officers
Interference with university functioning
Defacing buildings
Disturbing classes
Assaulting staff or students

Consequences

Conduct Probation: Placement on academic conduct probation means:

Can't represent college/university teams
Lose any office in student organizations
May be debarred from hostel

If 3rd violation while on probation: Dropped from university

Ragging (Strictly Prohibited)

PAU has a zero-tolerance policy for ragging. Punishments include:

Suspension from classes
Cancellation of admission
Rustication (1-4 semesters)
Expulsion
Fine up to Rs. 25,000
Imprisonment up to 2 years

QUICK REFERENCE CHECKLIST

At Admission:

[ ] Pay fees on time
[ ] Register for first semester
[ ] Meet your advisor
[ ] Understand your credit load

Each Semester:

[ ] Attend 75%+ classes (undergrad) / 80%+ (postgrad)
[ ] Register on time
[ ] Add/drop courses by deadlines
[ ] Maintain minimum GPA (5.50 undergrad / 6.50 postgrad)

Before Exams:

[ ] Attend all classes and practicals
[ ] Complete all assignments
[ ] Appear for mid-semester exams

Hostel Life:

[ ] Attend night roll-call
[ ] Pay hostel dues on time
[ ] Clear dues before semester registration
[ ] Maintain discipline

KEY CONTACTS

For Academic Matters: Reach out to your Dean or Advisor
For Hostel Issues: Contact your Hostel Warden or Director of Students' Welfare

Disclaimer: This is a simplified guide based on PAU's official Semester and Hostel Rules 2025-26. For complete and official information, refer to the official PAU Semester & Hostel Rules document or contact the university directly.

Last Updated: October 2025

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Saturday, October 11, 2025