Odd and even semesters, explained
Colleges split the academic year into two semesters. The first half is the odd semester and the second half is the even semester. Here is what that means and how the 2026–27 year runs at GAC Nandanam.
4 minute read. Updated 1 November 2026.
Why “odd” and “even”?
The names come from how semesters are numbered across a degree. A three-year UG course has six semesters. Semesters 1, 3 and 5 always fall in the first half of an academic year, so they are the odd semesters. Semesters 2, 4 and 6 fall in the second half, so they are the even semesters. A two-year PG course works the same way with four semesters.
So when a notice says “odd semester exams”, it means everyone writing semester 1, 3 or 5, whichever year they are in.
The 2026–27 timeline at GAC Nandanam
In the 2026–27 calendar the odd semester ends with semester exams from 30 October 2026, and the college reopens for the even semester on 23 November 2026. The even semester runs until its last working day on 9 April 2027, with semester exams from 21 April 2027.
| Semester | Date | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Odd | 3 Aug 2026 | Internal Assessment Test for II & III UG and II PG |
| Odd | 17 Aug 2026 | Internal Assessment Test for I UG |
| Odd | 21 Sep 2026 | Internal Assessment Exam 2 for UG and II PG |
| Odd | 6 Oct 2026 | End-semester practical exams begin |
| Odd | 15 Oct 2026 | Model exam begins |
| Odd | 28 Oct 2026 | Last working day |
| Odd | 30 Oct 2026 | Semester exams begin |
| Even | 23 Nov 2026 | College reopens, Day Order I |
| Even | 5 Jan 2027 | Internal Assessment Test 1 begins |
| Even | 11 Mar 2027 | Practical exams begin |
| Even | 9 Apr 2027 | Last working day |
| Even | 21 Apr 2027 | Semester exams begin |
What happens inside a semester
The pattern repeats each semester, which makes it easy to plan:
- Classes and internal tests. Internal assessment tests are spread through the semester and count towards your internal marks.
- Practical exams. For subjects with labs, practicals usually come a few weeks before the theory exams.
- Model exam. A full rehearsal of the semester exam, held near the end of classes.
- Last working day, then semester exams. Regular classes stop, and the end-semester exams begin a few days later.
How marks are split between internal assessment and the semester exam is set by the college’s regulations for your course, so check your syllabus for the exact numbers.
Day orders restart each semester
The day order cycle starts over at Day Order I when a new semester begins, so the 23 November reopening is Day Order I. If day orders are new to you, read what a day order timetable is.
Plan the semester in three steps
- Mark the internal test, practical and model exam dates from the 2026–27 important dates list.
- Check your attendance with the attendance calculator a month before the last working day, while there is still time to catch up.
- Keep an eye on official notices, since the college may change dates during the year.