Forty five students from Padua College, twelve from Rosario College and eight from Pompei College yesterday appeared for the exams being held for the first time by the university.
Konkani was introduced as an optional subject in three colleges as per Mangalore University directive in 2013.
Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy (KKSA) president Roy Castelino termed it as a milestone towards the Academy's effort to elevate the status of Konkani as an academic language.