KARACHI, June 29: The MA (Previous) annual examination-2003 for external candidates will commence on June 30 (today) at the 18 centres set up at different departments of the Karachi University.

According to the KU's examination department official, about 12,400 candidates, including 5,900 females, have been registered for the examinations, which would conclude on July 10. On the first day of the examinations. The papers of MA Final would begin from July 1.

The examination centres for the female candidates had been set up at the KU departments of Sindhi, Urdu, Political Science, Psychology, Mass Communication, Library Science, Visual Science and the Faculty of Islamic Studies, the official added.

Male students will take the examinations at different departments of Science faculty, including Chemistry, Zoology, Geology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, Geography and Institute of B Pharmacy, Department of Public Administration, Department of Commerce, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.

According to the breakdown of the candidates, 4,000 male candidates have been registered for the previous portion, while 2,500 for the final. The number of female candidates in the previous part is 3,600, while in the final it is 2,300.

The KU has planned 10 centres for the male candidates and eight for the female candidates. The arrangements for pick-and-drop service from the varsity's Silver Jubilee gate to different centres and vice versa had also been made, the officials said, adding that shuttle buses would be available from 12.30pm.