By Cassian Baliarsingh
In a major relief for students applying for undergraduate +3 courses the Government of Odisharsquos Higher Education Department has issued revised guidelines for Phase-I Waiting List/SPOT round admissions for the academic session 2025ndash26.
As per the new directive applicants who had earlier submitted their Common Application Form CAF during Phase I but failed to update their +2/equivalent marks or incorrectly filled in their institution preferences can now edit their CAF entries.
This move follows complaints from students who were either not considered for selection or had omitted preferred colleges due to errors in the CAF submission.
The government has now allowed all such applicants to
Re-edit their +2 marks and institutional choices
Submit fresh preferences for institutions and subjects
Without having to pay the CAF fee again.
This facility will be available after completion of the third round of admissions and will be applicable during the 4th round Waiting List/SPOT of the selection process.
Key highlights of the revised guidelines include
Fresh preferences must be submitted even if applicants had filled earlier choices. Old preferences will not be considered.
The CAF editing facility will only be accessible through the applicantrsquos student login credentials on the SAMS portal.
Those already selected or admitted in earlier rounds are still eligible to participate in this round and can revise their preferences accordingly.
Higher Education Institutions HEIs will view these fresh CAFs and prepare merit lists based on vacancy and subject availability. The selection process will remain purely merit-based and strictly follow the stipulated timeline.
Memo copies have been issued to senior officials including the Minister Commissioner-Cum-Secretary and Joint Secretary for immediate implementation.
Students and institutions are advised to adhere to the timeline and complete all activities as per Annexure-A attached to the official communication.