The government has directed all the public and private universities to enrol students on the basis of their SSC and HSC results, instead of through the existing admission tests.

In a circular last night, the education ministry said the step was taken as the admission seekers spend a huge amount of money and face hassles due to the entry test system.

" If the admission procedure is completed on the basis of the results of the SSC and the HSC examinations, it will help expedite the commencement of the academic session and help lessen the troubles faced by parents," said the circular.

Linder the existing system, all the public and private universities of the country arrange separate admission tests to enrol undergraduate students. The candidates have to pay for each test they take, and travel extensively during the admission test season. An official of the ministry, wishing anonymity, said the government had given the directives only. But since, the universities are run according to their own laws, it's up to the university authorities to decide whether they would follow it

In 2010, the government decided in principle to introduce "cluster system" in enrolment at public universities to ease admission seekers' hassle and help candidates get out of the grip of coaching centres. But that decision could not be implemented due to opposition from some public universities.