Pune: SPPU 2019 Pattern Students Stage Hunger Strike, Seek Special Optional Re-Exam
Pune, 28th September 2026: Students from the 2019 academic pattern of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) staged a hunger strike on Monday, demanding a special optional re-examination for students with pending subjects under the discontinued pattern.
The protest was held on the university’s main building premises. The students are seeking an additional opportunity to clear subjects they could not pass in their regular attempts. A significant number of the protesting students are from engineering courses.
The students have submitted representations to the university administration seeking a special examination. They said discussions on the demand had been held with university officials on two occasions.
According to the protesting students, communication from the university had indicated that their request for a special examination could be considered. However, as no final decision has been taken, students with pending subjects under the 2019 pattern have expressed concern about delays in completing their degrees.
The students said they were seeking a final opportunity to clear their remaining subjects so that they could complete their academic requirements without further delay.
During the protest, Dr Rajendra Talware, Director of the Board of Examinations and Evaluation, and Senate member Krishna Bhandalkar interacted with the students and explained the university’s position.
The students, however, remained firm on their demand for a special optional re-examination.
University says rules do not permit special examination
The university administration has stated that its existing rules do not currently provide for conducting a special optional examination for students under the 2019 pattern.
Dr Rajendra Talware said the students’ demand had been placed before the concerned university authorities following discussions with them.
“Students have demanded that a special examination be conducted according to the 2019 pattern. After discussions with the students, their demand was placed before the concerned authorities. However, the existing university rules do not have a provision for conducting such a special examination, and therefore such an examination cannot be organised,” Talware said.
He added that the university would establish a special cell to address other difficulties and complaints raised by the concerned students and that these issues would be taken up on priority.
The students have continued to press for a special examination, saying that many of them have only a limited number of subjects remaining and that an additional examination opportunity could help them complete their academic requirements.
The protest highlights the difficulties faced by students who still have pending subjects under the discontinued 2019 academic pattern. While the university has maintained that it is bound by its existing rules, the students are seeking an alternative mechanism that would enable them to complete their degrees without further delay.
