Author

Saumya Kalia

Browsing

The Academic Council (AC) of the University of Delhi, in its third meeting which began yesterday and culminated today morning, has discussed and deliberated on the proposals which were in the pipeline. It has announced decisions which shed light on three prospective courses which should be introduced in the varsity soon: Journalism, Transnational Studies, and, Cyber Security. These courses have received the approval of the Council in principle; with the nitty-gritties of these proposals being left to be chalked out in clarity later.

Delhi School of Journalism

The Council has decided to drop the self-financing clause which had been previously planned, and agreed to send the proposal to the UGC for approval of government funding. Earlier, the Vice Chancellor also suggested that the course would function on a no-profit no-loss basis. Meanwhile, the Council will also consider other avenues for funding; like resorting to philanthropic organisations for scholarships. In addition to the monetary factor, a three-member committee will also be set up to delve into the practical aspects of the course structure, along with the other intricacies of the proposal. The Council has decided to employ teachers on deputation from other colleges to serve as the faculty of the institute, along with those working in eminent media houses to serve as consultants. AC member Pankaj Garg said that such courses are “necessary and important as they enhance the reputation of a university.” The VC proposed Rs. 30,000 per semester for the five-year integrated course, a decision which was met with resistance. The AC members have decided that the committee will deliberate on the fee structure. It will also provide reservation for SC/ST candidates, and offer scholarships to facilitate admissions from the weaker sections of the society.

The establishment of the school has, however, been met with opposition from some members of the Academics for Action and Development (AAD) and University Teachers’ Forum (UTF).
Transnational Studies and Cyber Security

Both these courses have received the nod from the Academic Council. The course for Transnational Studies has been agreed to be developed in layers, with the aim of its establishment as a premier research centre. In the first phase, it will be a virtual platform where scholars and faculty can engage in discussions on a spectrum of research ideas. The University may then approach the UGC to put in money for research and create an exceptional and unique school on established lines. The Cyber Security course is facing debate on securing the UGC funding. A member of the Academic Council says, “You cannot run the specialised courses, like Journalism and Cyber Security, through a self-financing mode.” The Council has decided to approach UGC to obtain funding for the same.

 

The Delhi School of Journalism, which is scheduled to undertake applicants from this academic cycle, will not become operational from July 20th. It would take some time to untangle the web of decisions which are yet to be made. Meanwhile, the varsity will be releasing the first-cut off list for admission into various merit-based courses tonight. You can check the lists here.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

 

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

As the clock ticked off the last second of June 23rd, more than 2 lakh undergraduate aspirants in this country collectively typed in the magic letters to open the first phase of the offline admissions process. After policy alterations, timeline postponement, and logistical glitches, the University of Delhi has finally released the first cut-off list for its undergraduate merit-based programmes.

The cut-offs for Arts and Commerce courses can be checked here.

The cut-offs for Science courses can be checked here.

Contrary to the cut-off trends which have been haunting students and teachers alike for the past few years, the scores have seen a marginal dip this academic season. The highest cut-off has been released by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College at 99.66% for B.Sc. (Hons.) Electronics, 99% for B.A. (Hons.) Political Science, 98.75% for B.A. (Hons.) English, and 98% for B.Com (Hons.). Shivaji College has set the bar for B.A. (Hons.) Economics with a requirement of 98%.

Various colleges began releasing their individual lists in the late hours of the evening today; including Hansraj College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Kirori Mal College, amongst other popular choices. The cut-off for SRCC, a premier institute which is targeted by the majority of candidates, saw a slight drop in the percentage requirement, set at 97.75% for B.A. (Hons.) Economics and B.Com (Hons.).

St. Stephen’s College and Jesus and Mary College, while following the same schedule as that of the University’s, have a slightly different process. The lists will be available on their respective websites and can be accessed there.

Documents to be carried tomorrow

The applicants shall be required to produce the following documents in original with two sets of self-attested photocopies at the time of admission:

  • University admissions form
  • College-specific form
  • Anti-ragging form (signed by the candidate and parent)
  • Class X Board Examination Certificate
  • Class X Mark-Sheet
  • Class XII Mark-Sheet
  • Class XII Provisional Certificate / Original Certificate
  • Recent Character Certificate
  • SC/ST/PwD/CW/KM Certificate (in the name of the Applicant) issued by the competent authority
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate (in the name of the Applicant) as in central list
  • Transfer Certificate from school/college as well as Migration Certificate from Board / University are required from those students who have passed senior secondary exam from outside Delhi
  • At least two passport size self-attested photographs.

For students who are eligible for admission through the first cut-off list, here is a run-down of the important points to keep in mind:

  1. The dates for admission will be 24th, 27th, and 28th June, since Sunday and Monday are holidays. The timings are 9:30 am to 1:30 pm for morning colleges and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for evening colleges.
  2. Ensure that you have confirmed the requisites for the Best of Four calculation before you proceed.
  3. You are required to log in to your undergraduate admissions portal. The screen should show an option to select the course and college you are eligible for. By clicking this, an automatic form should be generated. Take two copies of this college-specific form/acknowledgment slip, it is the primary document of use tomorrow.
  4. The primary purpose of tomorrow is to get your documents verified. There will be long, multiple lines. Be prepared for two/three rounds of authentication and running around from one place to another.
  5. Once verified, you will be required to make the fee payment till the forenoon of the next day. Once you return from the document verification process, your admission portal should reflect an approved status from the college authorities, and should then show the option of payment of fees. The transaction can be made through college-specific gateways. Remember to take a printout of the fee receipt for future purpose!
  6. The admission days are going to be a long and exhausting. Remember to carry the following essentials with you: water bottle, refreshments, stationery (pen, stapler, glue stick), umbrella, and anything else you feel might be necessary. Reach on time to the college; the crowd will be overwhelming.
  7. Don’t fret. We understand that your mind might be troubled with questions about what to do once you reach the venue and any other admissions requirement. You can find volunteers and help desks at the college who are there to solve your queries. Also, look out for us; we’ll be there to cheer you on with pieces of important information!

For more details on the aftermath of the announcement of the lists, you can read our full report here.

 

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

 

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

And hence, the journey begins. A journey which was preceded by chaos, confusion, and excitement, and will be succeeded by a similar emotional trail. The journey to a new phase, a new set of experiences, and a new you.

entry-4

Phase 1: What to do after the first cut-off list 

  • 24th June: Check the first cut-off list on du.ac.in. The registration period commences from 24th June and ends on 28th June.
  • 1st July, 7th July, 13th July, 18th July: Check subsequent cut-off lists, and select the college and course of your choice based on your Best of Four percentage.
  • If you wish to cancel your admission in one college and get admitted into another based on the new cut-off lists, you will be required to withdraw the admission from the previously chosen college. After collecting the original documents, you will be required to repeat the admission process in the subsequent college of choice.

Phase 2: Admissions Procedure

  • Print college-specific admission form. Post the release of the cut-off lists at midnight on the scheduled date, you will be able to select the course and college you wish to admit into, and will be presented with a college-specific form. The form requires the signature of the candidate and a parent, which needs to be taken along with the other documents on the day of admission.
  • Visit college for verification of documents and Principal’s approval. You are advised to reach on time on the admission days along with the required documents and sufficient refreshments due to the overwhelming response and the delays caused. Once the original documents have been submitted and you have received a receipt of admission, your offline tasks have been successfully accomplished.
  • Visit the DU website and pay through college-specific gateway. Log in to the admissions portal, and the screen will reflect the confirmation from the college authorities. You will be required to pay the fees till noon of the next day. Once the payment has been made, ensure that you take a printout of the fee receipt.

Phase 3: After successful enrolment

  • Look for accommodation. With the college identification task exuberantly struck off your list, it is time to map the externalities of the third phase. For outstation candidates and those commuting from afar, the housing situation takes prime importance as the next agenda in this mission. Various colleges offer hostel residency; applications for the same can be viewed and filled on their websites. You can also identify paying guest accommodation (PGs) in the neighbouring areas of your college. Consult with your seniors, people living in the area of your choice, and other sources to help you choose the right accommodation setting. Begin this process well in advance to avoid last minute fiascos! (Refer to Page 2 of this issue for an accommodation guide!)
  • Pause and explore. If your timeline is perfectly on schedule, you can conveniently move towards easing yourself into this new phase. Between the board examinations, result woes, and the admission chaos, take out the team to breathe and assimilate the eventful changes around you.
  • Keep an eye out for the orientation dates. Various colleges organise an orientation ceremony a day before the commencement of the academic session, while some do it on the very first day of college. Visit the college website to find out the date for your session.
  • 20th July: Get, set, go! Forget everything you think you know about how this phase is going to pan out. The night before usually involves experiencing a motley of emotions, and for good reason. As you walk past the gates of the place you shall hopefully allude to as your home for the next three years, breathe all the ‘firsts’ in – you’re going to want to remember it.

All the best!

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]

At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awaken to economic reforms and a faster pathway to development. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, the introduction of the GST will be commemorated by a loud gong, which shall echo in new changes and national progress. Yes, there exists a strong resonance of Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech in this unprecedented journey to economic progress.

On the midnight of June 30th, the most significant economic reform since BJP’s rise to power will receive the official green light for implementation. The Goods and Services Tax (GST), which has been under the wraps for a few years now, will mark its rollout by a special midnight session in the Parliament. Both the Houses of the Parliament will meet to collectively welcome the economic change at the Central Hall, with the President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley addressing the assembly from 11 p.m. on June 30th till 12:10 a.m. on July 1st.

What is GST?

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is touted to be the harbinger of a dramatic makeover of the Indian economy. The tax aims to unify a web of taxes which are currently levied on the Indian consumers, including the VAT, excise duty, and service tax. A four-rate structure that imposes a low rate of tax of 5 per cent on essential items and the top rate of 28 percent on cars and consumer durables has been finalised. The other slabs of tax are 12 and 18 per cent.

When is it launching?

After smoothing over the major stubs on the way, the tax is all set to be launched on the midnight of June 30th and July 1st at the Central Hall. The Chief Ministers of all states have also been invited for the launch as it is being touted as a means of fiscal transparency and freedom. The function will be an hour long and will witness the President and Prime Minister speak on this economic transition. Two short movies will also be screened in this ceremony.

Arun Jaitley, the Finance Minister, said, “When the switchover takes place, in the short term there will be some challenges,” and added that it is “not a complicated process.”

Is GST revolutionary?

Policy makers deem it as the biggest reform in Indian economic history since the Independence. The launch of GST is projected to add 2 points to the country’s GDP growth rate, along with the widening of the tax net which tacitly increases government revenues. The implementation of this unified tax stems from the objective of simplifying the tax administration, minimising tax rate slabs, preventing detrimental competition between states, and increasing compliance. However, the obvious obstacles which pave the way include training of necessary manpower for implementation, lack of clarity of mechanism, and uncertainty of the overall impact. The tax primarily subsumes all regulations levied by the state and central government, and offers one replacement for all. The GST Council has met 17 times to work on the strings of the plan. More than 65 lakh businesses have signed up to undergo this process, and will be allowed a leeway of the first two months to file returns.

Feature Image Credits: Storypick.com 

 

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

The University of Delhi has announced a revised policy for this year’s undergraduate entrance-based admissions. The courses administered under the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences and Humanities, including Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), Bachelor of Business Administration (Foreign Investment Analysis) and B.A. (Hons.) in Business Economics, are increasing the number of seats from last year’s 884 to 1,162.

These management courses undertake students by conducting a Joint Admissions Test (JAT). The second-level of the process involves a Group Discussion and Personal Interview, based on which a merit list announced the ranks of the candidates. The entrance test was given a weightage of 85%, while the latter held a weightage of 15%. This year, however, the varsity has decided to do away with the process of GD-PI.  The admission process will be done on the basis of an entrance test and the candidate’s 12th Board marks, assigning 65% weightage to the former and 35% to the merit score.

The registration for the entrance based exams was scheduled to commence from May 31st this year. However, due to the policy changes, the portal became operational on June 16th, and will accept applications until June 25th. The entrance test is anticipated to be scheduled in the first week of July.

The two-hour long entrance test will be an objective-type, multiple-choice question paper. It is designed to test the aptitude of the candidate in the following areas: Quantitative Ability, Reasoning and Analytical Ability, General English, Business and General Awareness. A correct answer will allow the candidate to receive 4 marks, an incorrect answer will lead to a loss of one mark, and zero marks will be awarded to a question not attempted. The eligibility for the course is a minimum of 60% in Board in four papers including English, Mathematics and other two elective subjects, as per List A.

The three courses are offered by a variety of colleges in the varsity. They include:

BMS: Aryabhatta College, College of Vocational Studies, Deen Dayal Upadhyay College, Keshav Mahavidyalay, Ramanujan College, Ram Lal Anand College, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce [553 seats]

BBA (FIA): Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences [136 seats]

BBE: Aryabhatta College, BR Ambedkar College, College of Vocational Studies, Gargi College, Lakshmibai College, Maharaja Agrasen College, Shivaji College, Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College [473 seats]

 

 

Feature Image Credits: dubeat.com 

 

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

 

 

After a flurry of court orders, shifting timelines, and adapting new policies, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the Class 12 Board examination results on May 28th, 2017, after a delay of about a week. Following the release of the much-anticipated results, the Board opened the application for verification of marks and subsequent re-evaluation procedure. Every year, this procedure commences to ensure that all queries with regards to the distribution of marks are satisfactorily met. This year, the Board has been flooded with an unprecedented number of applications for the same.

Cases of students who had applied for this process and had their marks substantially increased are making the rounds. According to The Times of India, one student who managed to score 42 in her Mathematics exam received a 90 after undergoing the verification procedure. Similar boosts were also witnessed in other cases, as a student jumped from 68 to 95 marks. Another student who was shown to secure 9 marks cleared the exam after the marks were revised to 45. Last year, a student had received 85 in the answer sheet, which were increased to 98 marks after the re-evaluation procedure.

A CBSE official admitted the shortcomings in this year’s evaluation procedure. The errors can be attributed to a range of reasons; including the supplementary sheets getting detached, incorrect transfer of marks to the first page by the examiner, incorrect tallying of marks by the Board. The number of applications have thus, seen an unprecedented rise.

Currently, the Board only allows students to pursue verification of marks. For further re-evaluation, a student must approach the Court for the Board to consider his/her grievances. Such a cumbersome process often discourages students from undertaking the elaborate steps, thus, they conform to their erroneous marks even when they deserved more.

Moreover, the Class 12th marks are an integral component for applications under the University of Delhi. The verification of marks procedure often takes weeks before the student is informed of a change in marks. The registration process for the merit-based courses under the University of Delhi closed on June 13th, 2017, until which many candidates had not received the re-evaluation results of their Board scores. Such a disparity in time also often discourages the students from committing to the verification procedure.

A DU-aspirant who recently passed her 12th exams says, “It is extremely troublesome how the Board refuses to accept the answer books for re-evaluation, when there exists a blatant error in evaluation of marks. In my Economics paper, the examiner has marked three 6 marker questions wrong, out of which 2 are numericals. According to the answer key, these three questions are absolutely correct, considering there is no scope of doubt when it comes to the evaluation of numericals. Now they refuse to award me 18 marks which I clearly deserve. The undertaking we have signed prohibits us from pursuing this issue any further.”

“I have scored fairly good marks in all other subjects, but the marks in this paper will hamper my admission into a decent DU college”, she said.

Such drastic revisions hint towards a flaw in the functioning of the academic setup, with many claiming this to be a major bungle on CBSE’s part. Students are compelled to question the credibility of the marks awarded by one of the largest academic Board of the country. The underestimation of marks also negatively affects students’ morale and future college selection prospects.

 

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

 

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

Every year, the University of Delhi offers two branches of admissions to undergraduate aspirants. The merit-based courses are administered through the release of cut-offs, while the entrance-based courses undertake candidates through an entrance test and the conduction of a GD-PI process in some courses. This year, the entrance-based registrations were scheduled to commence from May 31st. However, after a delay of 15 days, the registration portal will become operational from June 16th, at 6:00 p.m.

The courses administered through entrance examinations are as follows:

  1. B.A. (Hons.) Business Economics
  2. Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS)
  3. Bachelor of Business Administration (Financial Investment Analysis) (BBA (FIA))
  4. B.A. (Hons.) Humanities and Social Sciences
  5. B.Tech. (Information Technology and Mathematical Innovation)
  6. Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
  7. B.Sc. Physical Education, Health Education, and Sports (B.Sc. (P.E.H.E.&S.))
  8. B.A. (Hons.) Multimedia and Mass Communication
  9. B.A. (Hons.) Music

The entrance tests will be conducted in 18 cities and will be online computer-based. The entrance test for B.A. (Hons.) Music will be based on a practical admission entrance test, which will be held in the Department of Music, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi.

The merit-based undergraduate admissions portal became functional on May 22nd, with the registration ending on June 13th, 2017. The cut-off lists are scheduled to be announced starting from June 24th.

You can access the link to the entrance-based admissions portal here.

 

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]

One of the most distinguished and popular colleges in the varsity, St. Stephen’s has announced the first cut-off list for admission into various undergraduate courses on Wednesday. The college was scheduled to release the cut-off on Tuesday; however, due to the extension of the deadline for filling up the admissions form, the College uploaded the list a day later.

1 2 3 4 5 6

You can check the cut-off list here. This year, the cut-off for Commerce students for enrolling in B.A. (Hons.) English and Economics is 98.5%. Last year, the highest cut-off percentage reached 99% (for Commerce students) for admission into B.A. (Hons.) English. Thus, conforming to its reputation of admitting students with a stellar score.

Located in the North Campus, the College conducts a separate process from the rest of the varsity, similar to the admissions procedure of Jesus and Mary College. It had an individual form for those aspiring to pursue an education in St. Stephen’s and has a different process for selection.

Post the announcement of the cut-off list, the candidates will be required to sit for an Aptitude Test and Interview process. The list for the interview will be released on June 15th. Candidates who are eligible for admission into various courses can view the list of shortlisted students for the interview process on June 15th after 4 p.m., either on the college website or the college notice board. The interview process will start from June 17th.

The college also announced the schedule for trials for the Sports quota, which are to begin from today. You can read the full report here.

 

 

Feature Image Credits: St. Stephen’s College 

 

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

With the first phase of the University of Delhi’s undergraduate admissions for merit-based courses on the verge of culmination, aspirants are racing to finish the online formalities to become eligible for admission in the varsity. However, the University has decided to extend the last date for undergraduate registration to June 13th, 2017, till 5 pm.

The registrations commenced on May 22nd, with various technical glitches and operational delays being experienced over the period of these twenty days. The admissions process, which was completely online, allowed candidates to fill out their personal and academic details on the portal. They could select the courses, choose the ECA and sports quota categories, and upload the necessary documents online as a part of the registration process.

The admissions cycle also witnessed an obstacle due to the slight delay in the announcement of Class XII Board examinations result by the Central Board of Secondary Education, which were released on May 28th, 2017.

The varsity currently offers 60 undergraduate programmes, with more than 56,000 seats for candidates. The undergraduate admissions process for entrance-based courses was scheduled to begin on May 31st. However, the date has been postponed and the final timeline is yet to be announced.

Keeping in mind the functional and logistical delays, the University has announced that the undergraduate merit-based admissions cycle will end on June 13th, offering a one-day extension to candidates to fill up the online forms.

The undergraduate admissions portal can be accessed here.

 

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]

There’s something about poetry; something inherent which induces every soul to stop and stare. That drop of reflection, that ignition of compassion; poetry is a harbinger of the better part of every soul. The channelising of this magical weaving of words is adeptly done in the clutches of humanity; allowing it to thrive and percolate. An endearing tale of two friends was stirred with the marvel of poetry when Amy Singh, a Chandigarh-based poetess and theatre artist, adopted a unique fund-raising method when her friend, Anam Narula, a student of DAV College, Chandigarh, was diagnosed with Adult Acute Myeloid Leukaemia towards the end of May this year.

Battling any disease requires a colossal physical and emotional reservoir of strength. Added to this is the practical reality of financial obligations, which prove to be a burden on the patient’s family almost always. In order to financially placate her friend, Amy conceptualised the creative gateway to mobilise aid: by writing poetry and selling it to people, money which will be used for Anam’s treatment. She began writing poems from May 30th, with fellow poets chipping in two days later.

 

Image Credits: Facebook     
Image Credits: Facebook

  

“I had not been working for more than two months and had no savings with which I could help him financially. But then I thought what if I wrote poems on request and charge people for those? They money could be used for Anam’s treatment. And poetry was something I knew I was good at and that motivated me to at least try it,” says Amy.

Initially aiming to receive Rs 10,000-15,000, Amy has witnessed a staggering response in the number of people willing to help. The campaign has gained momentum over the days, with poets all across the country eager to chip in to this noble endeavour. “And I was not alone in this. Many poets from Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Pune with whom we were connected through a spoken word platform chipped in to help me with the poems. Their support was very vital for me,” she says.

Anam is currently awaiting the bone marrow biopsy results post the chemotherapy sessions at the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana. For a boy who had lost all will to tread this harrowing path of survival, Anam was infused with a new lease to life, and continues to project this today. “He is very motivated to fight cancer and come out as a victor,” says Amy, in conversation with DU Beat. For her, two things that have acted as an eyeopener through this journey, she says, “Chivalry isn’t dead, and as my nani would say: Neeyat ko barkat hoti hai.”

 

Image Credits: Facebook
Image Credits: Facebook

In addition to this creative outlet, other campaigns are being organised to help collect funds. Amy, recounting some of them, says, “An exhibition was set up on June 10th, where many painters and photographers of the city donated their artwork to be sold, with the raised funds going to Anam. On June 11th, four of Chandigarh’s finest storytellers are telling feel good tales. The tickets of the event are available at Rs 200. Raised funds go to Anam. Towards the end of the month, we are organising a run campaign called Run for Hope to help raise funds.”

Image Credits: Facebook
Image Credits: Facebook

When asked what keeps her inspired and motivated to brave her way through this journey, she remarks, “I think this campaign has shattered all the stereotypes, such as: no one pays for poetry, poems don’t see, the world doesn’t care etc. And that’s definitely inspiring me and many fellow poets to continue using poetry as a medium of philanthropy, social change, and hope. I always said and now they believe me when I say that poetry can save the world.”

You can contact Amy to contribute to the campaign here.

 

Feature Image Credits: Facebook

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]