While studying the ODL (Open and Distance Learning) programme, you have to understand that tracking the official updates regarding the Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) is an academic necessity, but you also have to understand that keeping track of updates is also a part of the experience.
It can shape your study plans, your revision strategy, and even your peace of mind.
On 9 February, 2026, a new official notification titled “Conduct of ODL Semester Exams Notification” was released by the university’s Directorate (now known as the Centre for Distance & Online Education). This notice brought clarity (finally!) on how the semester exams for ODL learners will be conducted.
Let’s break this down step-by-step, including what it means for you, what you need to get ready for, and how this all affects your school situation with MANUU.
Important Details from this MANUU ODL Exam Notice
On 9th Febuary, MANUU sent out the notification to the students regarding the semester examinations of ODL students. This means the university has sent an update of how the ODL semester examinations will be conducted through the Directorate (Centre for Distance & Online Education) of MANUU during the March/April 2026.
In the distance learning world, this is an important moment. Why? Because unlike regular campus students who might get daily reminders or teacher-led schedules, ODL students often rely on official notices to anchor their plans. This notice does exactly that — it gives you a moment to breathe, focus, and plan your exam preparation with clearer timelines.
While the detailed document itself is technical in parts (as per official notification), the core message you need is:
- The semester exams will be conducted under the ODL mode in March/April 2026.
- These examinations are for all PG/UG/Diploma/Certificate/B.Ed. and MBA programmes
- Only the backlog students are required to register and pay the exam fee for backlog examinations.
- The last date for payment of the Backlog Exam Fee is 2.3.2026
This means you as a student have something for you to prepare for — no more speculation, no more informal updates.
Why This Notification Matters?
Distance learners may have to manage more than just school:
You may have a job, other commitments, or family duties that make it hard for you to study for your tests. If that applies to you, an official notice like this, is not just filling up space on the page, it means you can now be assured to be able to plan your revision.
It confirms:
- You’re on schedule with the university’s academic calendar.
- The semester exams will be held as per official guidelines.
- You should prepare to appear for your respective semester modules in your enrolled programme.
Official confirmation like this helps you manage your time sensibly — you can decide when to prioritise study sessions, how to arrange your revision weeks, and when to firm up your exam day travel plans if needed.
The Breakdown: Who is Writing Which Exam?
This is where the information gets a technical, but bare with me—I’ll break it down. The notification mentions specific batches and semesters. Here’s who’s writing which exam depending on when they joined MANUU.
1. General PG/UG/Diploma/Certificate Programs
This is going to cover the most students, from M.A. Urdu (previous batch) to B.A. and B.Com. students.
The 2025 Batch: If you just joined, your time is now: I Semester (Fresh). Welcome to MANUU!
The 2024 Batch: You’ll write the III Semester (Fresh) exams. But, if you didn’t write or clear papers from the I or II Semester, you’ll also write those Backlog exams now.
The 2023 Batch: You’ll write the V Semester (Fresh) exams. Like the 2024 batch, you should also write I or III Semester Backlog exams.
The 2021 & 2022 Batches: You’ll write Backlog exams for the I, III, and V Semesters.
The 2019 & 2020 Batches: You are considered a “legacy” batch, and the university is giving you a chance to write all Backlog papers from all semesters except the current semester.
2. Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) ODL
The B.Ed. calendar will always seem a bit eccentric, and this time is no exception. You can blame the unique academic structure.
2025 Batch: Your I Semester Odd (Fresh) exams are beckoning.
2024 Batch: Your III Semester Odd (Fresh) is walking hand-in-hand with the I Semester Odd (Backlog).
2023 Batch: It’s a Backlog bonanza for you this time around, with applications for the I Semester (Backlog) and III Semester (Odd Backlog).
3. Master of Business Administration (MBA) ODL
The MBA mantle is one being borne only by the freshest shoulders for now:
2025 Batch: Only the I Semester Odd (Fresh) students are eligible for this cycle.
The "Backlog" Headache: Fees and Deadlines
Now comes the part everyone dreads but no one can escape – the examination fee.
If you are a Fresh student (meaning you’re taking the exams for your current semester for the very first time), the university typically already has your details. However, if you are a Backlog student, you’ve got some homework to do right now.
The Deadline: You have until March 2, 2026, to pay your backlog examination fee. I simply cannot stress this enough, please do not wait until March 1 to pay. We are all too aware the university portals all seem to have a habit of falling “asleep” when thousands of students try to log in at the last minute. So be prepared for that day and also put a reminder for it.
Which Portal Should You Use?
Depending on your year of admission, MANUU is using two different systems. This is what messes up most students who end up trying to login to the wrong website.
The “Samarth” based system is being used for students from 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 batches. So if you are from those years, go to the following website:
http://manuudde.samarth.edu.in/index.php/site/login
Login with your enrolment details and follow the steps for making the backlog fee payment.
The “Integrated University Management System” is still being used by the older 2019 and 2020 batch of students. So if you are from these years, use the following link:
https://manuucoe.in/ums/student/login
The Assistant Registrar had specifically asked IT (CIT) to keep this portal running for your sake, so make use of it.
Navigating campus resources
The notification had been copied to everyone in the overall hierarchy from the Vice-Chancellor to the CITs’ Directors. Which means the entire university machinery is now geared to prepare the exam centers.
Keep a hawk’s eye on the Directorate of Distance Education (DDE) notice board. While the exam branch is handling the papers, the DDE is handling you. If you face a problem with your Hall Ticket (Admit Card) after the Hall Tickets are out, solutions lie with the DDE office.
And, of course, those of you in the boondocks should check with your Regional Directors (RDs). RDs are responsible for the smooth conduct of the exams in your local centers. If there are any changes in the venue because of local reasons, the RDs office would be the first to know.
Important Things Still Coming — What to Watch For?
While the notification confirms the exams will take place under the regular semester structure, a few details will still be released soon:
The detailed time table — subject-wise
The exam centre list and schedules
Instructions for admit card issuance and centre reporting
Any backlog or improvement exam directives
It’s common for these detailed documents to follow the main notification within days or weeks so that students can prepare fully.
Final Thoughts
Exams can be tough and stressful. But that’s what university life is all about, these highs and lows are what make college life so memorable. Ten years from now, you’ll forget the stress you are currently facing while trying to login to the Samarth portal but you’ll never forget the feeling of relief of walking out of that last exam hall knowing that you just earned your degree through your own hard work and dedication.
So don’t look at this notification as a threat, look at it as a challenge: a challenge to prove to yourself that you can work your job, raise your kids, live your life, and be a top university student. So just take a deep breath, log in today, check your status and pay the fees if you have backlogs. Once the admin part is out of the way, then you only need to focus on the most important part: the degrees themselves. MANUU has done its duty and set the stage—now it’s your turn in the spotlight.
Lets make this March/April session the one where you clear all your backlogs!
Just a heads up: March 2nd is the last date to pay fees! Don’t be one of the students we hear about that missed their exams because of a technicality!
Best of luck, keep studying and wait for the detailed date sheet to come out. We’ll be right here, helping you make sense of it when it drops!
FAQs
Q: I am a Fresh student of the 2025 batch. Do I need to pay an extra exam fee now?
Normally, the Exam fee is part of your Admission / Tuition fee for fresh semesters. But you should still log in to your portal and check if your “Examination Form” shows as submitted. Only the Backlog students need to pay the specific Backlog fee mentioned in this notification.
Q: When will the actual Date Sheet come out?
As the notification says, “shall be published on the University website” shortly. Most often MANUU announces the detailed time table about 15-20 days before the start of the exams. So keep checking manuu.edu.in
Q: Can I escape my exam center now?
It’s a tough one once the notification comes. For most of you, the centers are frozen based on your Regional Centre. If you have a life-and-death emergency, try writing to Controller of Examinations, but don’t expect a “yes” at this late stage.
Q: My Samarth password isn’t working. What should I do?
Don’t panic. There is a Forgot Password link on the Samarth portal, and since the CIT (Centre for Information Technology) has been told to keep the portals alive, the password reset emails should be working fine.
Q: Are these exams online or offline?
These are normal ODL semester exams, and have almost always been held in pen-and-paper mode at identified study centres/regional centres. You will be required to show up in person with your Hall Ticket and a valid form of ID.