Ranchi: Ranchi University, one of the state’s oldest universities, will begin postgraduate classes for the new academic session on Monday with barely 3,500 students enrolled against nearly 9,000 seats, prompting the authorities to extend the admission window by at least a week.According to data available on the chancellor’s portal, enrolment across PG departments and constituent colleges of the university remains sharply below capacity. Marwari College recorded the highest intake at 799, while Mandar College has no admissions so far. Yogada Satsang Mahavidyalaya, Ranchi, has admitted only eight students.The shortfall is visible across several PG departments. Admissions in subjects such as mathematics, Hindi, commerce, economics, psychology and history are at 50% or below. English has fared comparatively better, with 61 of 90 seats filled, while Nagpuri has filled all seats.RU spokesperson and head of the chemistry department Smriti Singh attributed the low enrolment to the delayed opening of the chancellor portal and the decision of a large number of undergraduate students to continue with the four-year UG programme. “Students had the option of taking a degree after three years and opting for a two-year PG course, but nearly 85% have continued with the four-year UG programme,” she said.Officials said the delay in sessions also hurt admissions as CUET-PG results were out before RU opened its portal. Dean of students’ welfare S K Sahu said the growth of private universities had also diverted many students.