The Syndicate of Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) has admitted that the authorities of Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, erred in admitting P.M. Arsho, former State secretary of the Students Federation of India (SFI), into the seventh semester integrated MA programme in Archaeology and Material Cultural Studies in violation of attendance norms.In an order dated June 8, 2026, the varsity authorities said there was lack of caution on the part of the Principal-in-charge while promoting Mr. Arsho into the seventh semester in violation of the regulations prescribed for the academic programme. The Principal should have been more alert while handling such issues, said the order.The issue had snowballed into a controversy after the Save University Campaign Committee petitioned the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of State universities, in September 2024, seeking a probe into the alleged violation of attendance norms that enabled Mr. Arsho to advance in the course he has been pursuing.The Principal in-charge had initially submitted a report claiming that he had the required attendance in the sixth semester. However, the official later submitted a report pointing out that Mr. Arsho had only 10% attendance during his sixth semester. He was given 27 days of attendance for university union and college union activities. The Syndicate said the maximum relaxation of attendance that could be given in a semester was only 15 days, and hence the attendance relaxation extended to Mr. Arsho was in violation of regulations. Published - June 10, 2026 09:00 pm IST