Bhubaneswar, Aug 6 (IANS): After reopening schools for Class 10 and 12 students, the Odisha government has decided to reopen universities and colleges for physical classroom teaching from August 16.

"Universities and colleges (under higher education dept) will open for physical classroom teaching (and for hostel accommodation) from 16.08.21 for PG first year and UG pre-final year students," the state Higher Education Department said in a tweet.

The colleges and universities will be reopened for post graduate first year and undergraduate first & second year students.

However, the examination of final year students will be conducted on online mode only, as per an earlier decision.

The physical teaching will be conducted with strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocols, sources said.

Schools in Odisha have been reopened for the Class 10 and Class 12 students from July 26 while the classroom teaching for Class 9 students to start from August 16. Moreover, the physical teaching for Class 11 students is scheduled to commence from September 15, a source said.