(This story originally appeared in on Dec 31, 2015)

Can male candidates pursue doctoral thesis in a women's college? Three years after it went ahead and gave the green signal to two male students, the Bangalore University (BU) has woken up and started pondering the issue.

While one of the students cleared the PhD entrance test conducted by BU in 2012, the other cleared it in 2013. The university permitted them to pursue their doctoral work from the Smt VHD Central Institute of Home Science, located near the Maharani's College for Women. Following the approval, the students embarked upon their project work. However, with the varsity now debating if the students can continue or not, the students have been left in a quandary.

The confusion has reached such a level that the varsity placed the issue before the syndicate (the highest decision making body). The syndicate report, a copy of which is available with Mirror, states, “At the last doctoral meeting, the dean, faculty of Science, had raised the issue, asking how a male student could be admitted to a women's college. As per records, two male candidates have been admitted.

No one from the college is opposing the move. The college chairperson has requested permission to two male candidates, stating they have completed their PhD course work and were submitting the programme progress reports on time.“

Sources in VHD College said everything went smoothly until this year when another male candidate sought permission to pursue his doctoral thesis at the college. “The university outright rejected it saying he was a male candidate and, hence, couldn't get admission.This was when they realised two others were already doing so and that set them thinking.“

Dean of Science, M Ramachandra Swamy said, “I don't understand the logic why male students be allowed by BU. So, I have asked the varsity for clarification."

One of the students CS Shivakumar whose doctoral thesis is on impact of walnut consumption on dyslipidemia, said, “I have followed due process and even got certificates from the university for my course work. As this is a one-of-its-kind study in the country, I have spent a lot of money and time on the course, which is nearing completion. I hope I won't be punished for something which is not my fault.“

BU officials said a decision would be taken after the syndicate meeting in January.