I am sharing my experiences with getting the transcripts from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. First, I tried to browse the university website to find the details myself. But, the information was not "traceable" - probably tucked in somewhere (blamed the designer of the website). Unwilling to believe that such crucial details won't be missing in any university website, I made futile attempts to reach the university - first, by trying to reach them in the phone number given in their website (Controller of Examinations) and then by writing an email. Neither of these efforts proved useful. I even tried to escalate the matter to the RTI (Right to Information) cell. But, to my surprise, they didn't care about that as well.
As the time was running out, I opted to hire a private agency (Clear Transcripts) to do the job for me. They spent almost a week to collect the documents from me, get my authorization, re-work on a few documents etc. Their approach was professional. But, the service came with a heavy price tag of about Rs. 10,000 for getting the stamp and signature on two sets of photocopies of transcripts and degree certificates. I was unable to visit the university in person. Besides, I didn't have anyone there who could do it on my behalf. So, I had to settle down with the private agency as the details weren't "visible" in the university website. I got the copies of transcript and degree certificates (They are not really needed. I ordered them without knowing the fact that they are useless) in sealed envelopes in a month or so. These envelopes were received by the agency representative and couriered to me.
I needed some more copies of official transcripts after 6 months of getting my first set. This time, I didn't want to approach any private agency and decided to do things on my own irrespective of the outcome of my efforts. I repeated everything as described the first paragraph with a slim hope that I might get any new information. This time, I wanted to try out all possible options. So I called the registrar's office and Public Information Officer, in addition to Controller of Examinations. After several attempts, my call was picked by someone in registrar's office. He gave me a mobile phone number and asked me to talk to him though he didn't want to share the name of the person whom I should talk to. It was okay with me. When I talked to the person I was asked to, I got all the details I was looking for. That person was informative, willing to help and was not rushing. He also clarified my puzzle (where the heck the transcript details are in the website - Go to University main page --> Examinations tab --> Revised Fee and Norms --> read the PDF to know the fee structure).
So, let me narrate how to start the process. 1) Have a look at the PDF file I referred earlier to know the fee structure. 2) Take the DD in favor of "The Registrar, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University" payable at Tirunelveli and 3) Send it to "The Controller of Examinations". That's it. It is as simple as that. I really curse the team that developed the university website. They could have explained things clearly. A few other points to note. In my case, the fee was Rs. 1400 (I ordered 5 copies of transcripts. I graduated in the year 2000). I was asked to send 8 photocopies (front & back) of transcripts (out of which 3 are for the university officials), a requisition, self-addressed envelope with Rs. 40 stamp on it. Pl. don't ask the mobile phone of the person I talked to. I didn't save it.
I will be glad if this post helps anyone who is trying to get the transcripts from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.
