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First, comes college and then comes the accommodation dilemma! Do not fret; we’ve got it covered. Here are all the possible places to stay, to help you make your decision easier.


College Hostels

At present, twelve DU colleges provide hostel facilities. While most outstation students prefer college hostels to private accommodation, seats are as limited as only six students per course getting admitted. Admissions to college hostels are merit-based and beyond that, dependent on the region the student hails from. For instance, a student from Kanyakumari has a better chance of getting a seat than another student from, say, Ahmedabad with the same percentage. Moreover, students from the Delhi NCR region cannot apply to college hostels.

 

Getting admitted into a college hostel is very advantageous as accommodation fees are usually minimal and round-the-clock security is ensured. Other benefits include living in close proximity to the college building, no transportation costs, staying in the college library until late, etc. However, one drawback is that most college hostels, particularly for girls, have very early curfew timings. While this is the very reason most parents are keen on getting their children admitted to them, it may be disadvantageous in the long run as this prevents students from participating in many activities. Moreover, another drawback may be the fact that students have to pack up and move out their belongings after every academic year which becomes rather cumbersome.

 

It is important to note that hostel registration takes place independently of college admissions. Once your college admission is taken care of, you should go to the college hostel or warden’s office to register for the college hostel.

University Hostels

Another option, solely for girls, is the Under Graduate Hostel for Girls. It is a residence for full-time undergraduate girl students of the North and South Campus of the University of Delhi. The hostel complex is located at Dhaka, Mukherjee Nagar and boasts of a wide campus with seven blocks with a total of 344 rooms on double occupancy. Here, too, admissions are merit-based and seats per college are limited. The admission process of this hostel initiates rather late into the admission procedure, so it is wise to visit the hostel website from time to time to check up on the hostel prospectus and admission dates.

The University also has separate hostels for international students – both boys and girls. They are situated in North Campus and even provide a shuttle-bus service within the area. Students should visit the hostel for additional information.

Paying Guest Accommodation

Since acceptance rates in most college and university hostels run very low, most students opt for a private paying guest accommodation. The sheer number and variety of PGs may be daunting, but it all boils down to shrewd PG-hunting. Here is a comprehensive list of tips for the majority of you who will be opting for paying guest accommodation:

– For starters, approaching brokers is unnecessary.
– Begin by collecting phone numbers and addresses of PGs. Many put up posters and distribute business cards.
– Take a day or two and visit as many PGs as possible. Don’t finalise your choice instantly, take a night to evaluate the pros and cons of each establishment with your parents and only then make a decision. Remember, expensive may not always mean better! Be sure to check whether the electricity bill is included in the monthly tariff.
– While evaluating PGs, also check the toilets, kitchens, and balconies properly. Hygiene is key!
– Strike up conversations with PG residents for honest reviews.
– Never take PG owners’ promises at face value, as they’re shrewd businessmen.
– Sometimes, PG owners lower tariffs as the admission season ends. You may strike up a good deal at the last moment.

Rented Apartments

For starters, in case you do not have family or friends who are already living in flats, it is better to postpone staying in a flat until your second year. It is advisable not to settle into a flat with friends you’ve just met. Having said that, living in a flat may not be as daunting as most people suppose.

The North campus area, in particular, is very student-friendly in terms of securing good flats and cheap, durable furniture, and – in case you cannot cook – dabba-waalas. While resorting to brokerage when it comes to PGs is unnecessary, you have to opt for a broker while searching for flats if you do not already know anyone who is moving out of theirs. Brokerage fees are one-time and 50% of your rent. Rent varies according to the area with cheaper rates being at around Rs. 16,000 to 18,000 for a 2BHK flat in the North Campus area.

– Swareena Gurung
[email protected] 

On 28 June 1969, LGBTQ people in New York initiated the violent Stonewall Riots to protest against the discrimination they faced as a community. They are often identified as the turning point in LGBTQ history as they led to the start of the gay liberation movement. A year later, on its anniversary, gay pride marches – the first of their kind – took place in four cities across the United States. Eventually, the movement grew and countries all around the world began to organise pride marches towards the end of June to commemorate the riots. Consequently, June came to be known as Pride month, with everyone wanting in on the action.

images
Credits: Passport Magazine

On 24 June 2016, the area around Stonewall Inn was declared a U.S. national monument, the first to have queer significance. In June of this year, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the first LGBT Memorial in the U.S. This memorial will be placed in New York’s Hudson River Park and will be designed by Anthony Goicolea, a Brooklyn-based artist. The Governor established the LGBT Memorial Commission last year after the Orlando Pulse shooting which targeted 49 LGBTQ people.

595142031500004b1f9002e7
Credits: Huffington Post

This is only one example of the way June is celebrated across the globe. Millions of people marched in support of LGBT rights and also held ‘resist’ marches in light of Trump’s actions. There is wide disparity in the actions of leaders around the world – two years ago, Barack Obama took a historic step to legalise same-sex marriage throughout the United States, while the current administration strives to undo all that progress and even refuses to acknowledge Pride month. Today itself, German legislators legalised same-sex marriage, while east European governments threaten their openly gay citizens. Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage earlier this year, while Indian political leaders continue to promote archaic ideologies on the matter of equality.

Nevertheless, there is plenty of reason to rejoice. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marched as an ally, the Greek Finance Minister showed his support at the parade in Athens, and Tel Aviv Pride was the biggest event of its kind in West Asia. Over three million people showed up in Sao Paulo, unafraid to be flamboyant and vibrant. People in Serbia and Ukraine marched despite protests and fears of retaliation. Landmarks around the world, such as the Empire State Building in New York, the Madrid City Hall, and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi lit up in rainbow colours to support the cause.

Credits: iTravelTelAviv
Credits: iTravelTelAviv

We may be subject to discrimination all around the year, but this June has certainly been a celebratory month. Happy Pride!

 

Feature Image Credits: BuzzFeed LGBT

Vineeta Rana
[email protected]

We’re definitely not loving it.

The world’s favourite fast-food chain will no longer be ubiquitous in the streets of Delhi. In an unprecedented move, 43 of the 55 McDonald’s outlets in Delhi will be temporarily shutting down, due to a tussle between the North Indian segment and the global authorities.

What is the tussle about?

The scrimmage between the Connaught Plaza Restaurant Ltd. (CPRL) and Vikram Bakshi has been in the pipeline for quite some time now. CPRL is the regulatory body which operates the fast-food restaurants in North and East India. Vikram Bakshi was signed on as a partner of McDonald’s India Pvt Ltd. back in 1995 when the global fast-food chain entered India on account of liberalisation. A 50:50 joint venture agreement was adopted by the two parties. In 2013, however, leadership battle came to the fore. Alleging misconduct, McDonald’s resisted the re-election of Bakshi as the Managing Editor, countering which Bakshi challenged his removal in the Company Law Board, Delhi (CLB). He claimed mismanagement and oppression as the contesting arguments, paving the way for an unpleasant legal battle. Naturally, McDonald’s rescinded the JVA and citing an arbitral clause in the agreement, proceeded to claim arbitration in the London Court of International Arbitration. Bakshi appealed to the High Court and Supreme Court to contest the proceedings, which remained unfruitful. They currently await a decision from the CLB.

What are people saying?

McDonald’s India Pvt Ltd issued a statement announcing the decision. It said, “The ‘eating house licenses’ of a number of McDonald’s restaurants in Delhi have expired. The board of Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited (or “CPRL”, McDonald’s licensee in North and East India) is working to obtain the required licenses. Pending this, CPRL is temporarily suspending the operations of the affected restaurants.” It also added, “India continues to be an important market for McDonald’s and we are committed to working with CPRL to resolve the issue as soon as possible.”

The former Managing Director, Vikram Bakshi, was quoted in the Economic Times saying, “It’s unfortunate, but operation of 43 restaurants operated by CPRL has been temporarily suspended.” The decision was made in a Skype call on Wednesday.

What are the other factors which contributed to the shut-down?

Due to the initiation of the legal battle, revenue trends and investment valves deteriorated inadvertently. The store-level efficiency had to suffer major challenges and maintenance factors such as the hygiene requirements were severely hampered due to the ownership struggle. Due to this, the eating house license of these outlets has been expired. The decision also comes as a blow to the employment sphere, as it will lead to a loss of 1,700 jobs. According to reports, CPRL has decided to retain the employees and will not revoke their salaries during the turbulent period. The negative impact of the tussle became visible post-2013, with Domino’s overtaking the position of the country’s largest quick-service restaurant chain in the country. In 2014, the number of stores opened was a palsy 9 as compared to 27 in 2012.

Which outlets are still open?

The following areas will continue to devour the lavishness of the McBurgers, McFries, and McDesserts!

  1. Ground Fllor, Ansal Plaza Mall
  2. Community Centre, Saket
  3. 17 Regal Builing, Connaught Place
  4. 10, Block N, Connaught Circus
  5. ITO Milap, Milap Building, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, I.T.O
  6. Shop No.: 1, Plot No.: 45, Satyam Cinema Complex, Nehru Place
  7. Shop No.: 34, 102B, 109, 110, Ground and First Floor, DLF South Square
  8. Domestic Terminal of Terminal-3, D-40, IGI Airport
  9. International Terminal of T-3, IN-50, Food Court, International Aiport
  10. Kashmere Gate, ISBT, DMRC Railway Station, Kashmere Gate
  11. Form No.: 16, Old Delhi Railway Station
  12. E-31 and 31, South Extension Part II
  13. V3S East Central Mall, Ground Floor, Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar
  14. Agarwal Fun City Mall, Shop No.: 7,8, and 9, East CBD, Shahdara, East Delhi

 

Feature Image Credits: McDonald’s

 

Saumya Kalia

[email protected]

Amidst the series of cut-offs that the University of Delhi offers your way, in one of the lists lies the primal score for admission into your desired field. Once you hit that lucky number on the list, you will revel in the thought of cancelling the enrolment in that back-up college you had initially gotten admitted into. Before you begin this process of withdrawal, here are a few pointers to help you trace this journey with rationale and clarity.

  1. What and Why: The need to secure a seat

The cut-off trends possess a tendency to waver and flicker every academic year. In this mayhem, it is imperative that you exercise prudence when it comes to admissions. If the first, second, third lists betray your anticipated cut-off, ensure that you still secure a seat in your backup college/course. With your heart temporarily placated and consoled into waiting and hoping, be sure to keep a tab on the lists that are to follow, as they can offer you a slightly/majorly better option.

  1. The Process: Step 1

Fancy this: on June 20th, you have enrolled into a course, say B.Com (Hons.) in College B, despite eagerly wanting to get into College A for B.A. (Hons.) Economics. In the third cut-off list, the percentage requirement for College A drops and matches your score. Congratulations! Now before in elation you run off to cancel your admission, check and confirm with College A if your Best of Four is correctly calculated according to their guidelines. Visit the college if need be, or check their website. Once your enrolment is withdrawn and cancelled, you will then be able to access other courses and colleges on the admissions portal.

  1. The Process: Step 2

The usual process entails visiting the college with a cancellation form (available on the undergraduate admissions portal), a cancelled cheque (in some colleges), and the fee receipt previously obtained. You might be required to fill a cancellation form at College B, after which you can collect your original documents that were previously submitted. You will then proceed to College A with these documents, the college-specific form filled online, and fulfil all other formalities which were followed the first time. You shall repeat the usual admissions process to enrol into College A. The first admission, which is cancelled, does not lead to immediate return of the fee payment but instead takes a duration of one or two months. So, manage your finances accordingly as it might require double, and in some cases triple, payment on your part.

The DU Beat team wishes you all the best throughout the admissions process!

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]

After the first phase of admissions done and dusted with, the University of Delhi will be releasing the second cut-off list tonight. Before that, individual colleges have started releasing lists on their respective websites. The varsity has received over 2 lakh applications for admission into 60 undergraduate programmes.

The University has uploaded a consolidated second cut-off list for all colleges on its website. You can access it here.

Here are the live updates on the cut-off lists as well as colleges. (You can check the cut off list by clicking on the names of individual colleges) 

College wise list:

6:55 PM : Maharaja Agrasen College  has also declared its second cut off with 94.5% for B.Com Hons. The college also offers B.A Hons. Journalism for 93.5% for the general category.

6: 40 PM: Maitreyi College has also declared opened its portal which would declare the second cut off.

6:35 PM: Shivaji College has declared its second cut off with B.Com Hons having the highest cut-off at 96.5%. The college offers 1% relaxation to girl candidates for all its courses.

5:55 PM: Zakir Hussain College has also declared its second cut off with cut-offs for several courses going down.  The college would be admitting students from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM starting from 1st July to 4th of July.

5:45 PM: Daulat Ram College has released its second cut-off with B.A Hons Psychology grossing the highest at 96.50%. Meanwhile, the admissions have been closed for several courses like B.A Hons. Political Science and B.A Hons. History.

5:20 PM: Kirori Mal College releases its second cut off with B.A Hons Economics  at 96.75%. Admissions for course like B.Sc Hons Physical Sciences, B.A Hons. English, B.A hons.Urdu and  B.A Hons. Sanskrit have closed admissions in general category.

5:00 PM :  Shri Ram College of Commerce

The admission process for phase 2 will commence from tomorrow and will register applicants till July 4th. Candidates who meet the requirements can visit the college between 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on July 1st, 3rd, and 4th. The subsequent steps to complete the admission process can be found here.

Admission process under the first cut-off list culminated on June 28th, 2017. The first bout witnessed a low uptake, with the students experiencing technical glitches, confusion about the requirements, and the high cut-offs dampening the admission day reach.

If you want to withdraw your admissions from any college you can follow the procedure mentioned here

We will keep updating the list as and when the colleges announce their cut-offs. Stay tuned!

 

Feature Image Credits: University of Delhi

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]

Srivedant Kar
[email protected]

The AAP-led Delhi Assembly session, which began on June 28th and has been extended till July 3rd, has unanimously passed a resolution for 85% reservation for city students in government-funded University of Delhi colleges, with all the MLAs committed to bringing this issue to the fore.

The Assembly has also adopted a resolution which seeks to amend the Delhi University Act (1992) which currently allows no other university in Delhi to give affiliation to colleges. Both the resolutions have been passed in light of the struggles endured by the 2 lakh plus students in the city in getting admission in higher education institutions.

Resolution for 85% reservation for Delhi students

On Thursday, the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia lobbied for the students who had passed Class 12th from the capital and said they should be given a quota in 28 colleges which are fully and partially funded by the Delhi government. “Many of these students are struggling to get admission in higher education institutions. The money of taxpayers from Delhi is being used to fund these colleges. And it is our responsibility to safeguard the interest of Delhi students. We will meet the HRD minister, L-G and DU Vice-Chancellor to raise this demand,” he said, delineating on the drawback suffered by the city students.

In conversation with a popular national daily, advisor to Sisodia, Atishi Marlena, said, “Out of 63 DU colleges, the Delhi government funds 28 colleges, partially or fully. Around 2.5 lakh students pass out from Delhi schools every year and only 28,000 of them are able to secure a seat in DU colleges.”

The colleges which come under funding by the government are as follows:

Image Credits: University of Delhi
Image Credits: University of Delhi

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Sisodia emphasised on the efforts made to execute the reservation policy, informing that the government had written several letters to the Union HRD Minister which could not materialise, as the University is centrally funded by the University Grants Commission. Both the resolutions have now been passed by the Assembly as a consensual decision, and it has been clarified that the Delhi government does not endorse regionalism through this decision. “If this administration cannot give 85% reservation, it can at least give relaxation of 5-10% in the cut-off marks to Delhi students,” he added.

The decision will tacitly impact thousands of outstation candidates who aspire to enrol in the University every year. “Trying to ghettoise DU is another belligerent move by the Delhi government, which will not only affect the outstation students but the entire education system. DU is a central university, so it is almost impossible that it will ever turn into a reality. Moreover, a university like DU which has been the home of young and intellectual minds from all over the nation for more than 100 years must not select talent on the basis of domicile now. AAP must realise that the ability to accommodate so much diversity is the biggest strength of DU and that makes DU what it is today,” says Mandeep Singh, a second-year student at the University of Delhi. Probing the duality of the issue, the implementation will grant preference to students from the city, thus proving advantageous to them. Siddhi Jain, a third-year student at the University says, “The issue of reservation of local students in a central varsity is a contentious one, especially given how popular the University of Delhi is. As a Delhi student, I feel there should be a certain quota of reservation for domiciles of Delhi, even if it is not as high as 85%. In general, I strongly advocate betterment of universities, state or central, in all regions of India,  to (i) prevent so much competition due to flocking of all states’ students to DU, and (ii) give some relief in terms of different moderation policies of different boards.”

“The idea is appealing, but I don’t exactly support it. It is sort of undemocratic because every institution cannot be made exclusive like that. Moreover, DU is a renowned and sought after University. In this case, I feel Ambedkar University can be expanded,” says Sukanya Khar, a Delhi-domicile candidate studying in the varsity.

The response from the educationists has also been majorly sceptical, who have brought the underlining issues to the fore. Saikat Ghosh, a member of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association, believes that the resolution passed would negate the accessibility of the central University. He says, “The suggestion is preposterous. DU is a central University meant to be open to all students of the nation regardless of region or state domicile. The argument that 28 colleges of DU are funded by Delhi residents is also a fallacious half-truth. Not all Delhi tax-payers have Delhi state domicile. Additionally, most of the Delhi government’s revenue is through indirect taxes which non-Delhiites also contribute majorly to. The resolution passed in the Delhi Assembly is a ridiculous gimmick.”

Resolution for amending the Delhi University Act (1992)

The Section 5, Sub-section 2 of the Act has been proposed to be changed. It currently states:

“5. (2) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force, no educational institution within the afore-mentioned limits shall be associated in any way with or be admitted to any privileges of any other University incorporated by law in India, and any such privileges granted by any such other University to any educational institution within those limits prior to the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to b withdrawn on the commencement of this Act:

Provided that the Central Government may order in writing, direct that the provisions of this sub-section shall now apply in the case of any institution specified in order.

Provided further that provisions of this sub-section shall not apply in the case of any educational institution affiliated to the Indraprastha Vishwavidyalaya incorporated under the Indraprastha Vishwavidyalaya Act, 1998.”

The House has voted to add a second provision to this Act, which shall read:

“Provided further that provisions of this sub-section shall not apply in the case of any educational institution affiliated to the State Universities in Delhi, which are presently existing or may be set-up in the future.”

By adopting this resolution, the government plans to increase the number of higher education institutions in Delhi in order to meet the requirement of the student populace. The road to this can be paved by amending the Delhi University Act (1992), which will grant more options to those pursuing higher education.

In the past, efforts have been made by Congress and top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi unit to demand a certain preference for the city students. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa is a strong advocate of this issue and expressed the urgency to address it. “This is an important issue and all MLAs should demand reservation for city students cutting across their political and ideological differences. The Delhi government can also set up a college which is only for Delhi students,” he said at the Assembly.

Currently this resolution has only been passed in the Delhi legislative assembly and has no explicit legal backing. It needs to be approved by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development and then passed as a law to be legally implemented.

 

Feature Image Credits: The Financial Express

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]

Prem Singh, a Hindi professor from Delhi University, began a week-long fast on 25th June 2017 at Jantar Mantar to protest against the recent mob lynching incidents, including the death of Hafiz Junaid. 17 year old Junaid became the victim of a mob lynching which started as a spat over a train seat but later escalated into him being repeatedly stabbed by knives because it was suspected that he was carrying beef in one of his food containers.

Prem Singh, who is also a member of the Socialist Party of India (SPI), feels that it is a social responsibility for the people to stop such incidents from happening again and again. “All of us have collectively failed in stopping incidents of mob lynching. It is because of this guilt, I have started the protest,” he said in a statement.

Laraib Akram, a resident of the city and a working professional, said that he will make sure that the protest goes on till the government takes appropriate action to stop incidents of mob lynching from happening again. The protest could be extended if and when protesters from other circles join it. “We will mobilise people from wide circles including students and hold relay fast until the government comes up with a solution for this,” Akram said.

The SPI has demanded immediate arrest of those who lynched Junaid. “We want immediate arrest of those who killed Junaid and also condemn the indifferent attitude of the Haryana government,” said former chief justice of Delhi High Court, Rajinder Sachar.

 

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

 

Anagha Rakta

[email protected]

 

On the last Wednesday of June, tensions rose and confusion ensued as the police was called in to Daulat Ram College to assuage the worried applicants. June 28th marked the last day for applicants to enrol in college under the first cut-off list, and some candidates were denied admission to the college due to a lack of availability of seats.

Admission denied

According to some student testimonials, applicants wishing to pursue B.A. Programme were prohibited from entering the college as the authorities claimed that the seats were full. These candidates had cleared the cut-off and fulfilled all eligibility requirements, and as per the varsity’s rule, were entitled to secure a seat in the college.

While the University has a prescribed number of seats for admission into various courses, there is no bar on the number of students who actually register and confirm admission under a certain list. Moreover, as the undergraduate portal was riddled with technical glitches, several students were unable to obtain the acknowledgment slip of a college on the first day. Students also often wait till the last day of a cut-off list to weigh in the college options available to them, and to clarify the Best of Four requirements. The time frame allocated to a cut-off list allows every student who meets the criteria to secure a seat in a given college, without any counter policy.

Intervention by ABVP and DUSU

The situation scaled when volunteers of the RSS-affiliated student wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), intervened on behalf of the aggrieved students. The Delhi University Students’ Union’s President Amit Tanwar expressed his dismay at the erroneous decision on the college’s part. He said, “According to the University rules, all students who clear the cut-offs are to be admitted. There is no first come, first serve policy. Several applicants had come to seek admission today [on Wednesday] as it was the last day to do so under the first cut-off list. They were, however, told that the seats were full. This caused panic.” As the agitation transferred from the applicants to the student leaders, the police were asked to step in.

The college has lodged a complaint at the Maurice Nagar police station against the ABVP, DUSU, and parents who allegedly manhandled the Principal, along with vandalising her office. The Principal, Ms Savita Roy, claimed that the ABVP and DUSU members entered her office without permission and misbehaved with her. The complaint filed proclaimed that, “They used abusive language, manhandled me, and threatened me with dire consequences if I did not admit the students.” She also added that the crowd refused to send a representation of two people despite her request. An FIR has been filed against six persons who were involved in the scene, and the Principal has requested police protection to continue with the admission process.

However, these allegations have been refuted by the ABVP as an “excuse” by the administration, and are being labelled as an “arbitrary denial.” Tanwar adds, “The parents of students, who were confused after being denied admission even after the verification of documents, approached the ABVP and DUSU members. All of them went to the administration to ask why were they denied admission.” A student from DRC spoke to DU Beat and confirmed the refusal of admission, and also added that the teacher coordinators for the admission process refused to allow a student to opt for B.A. Programme on account of the lack of seats, and continued to “misguide” her by advising her to enrol in other courses. She said that the ABVP proceeded to help the student who had to bear the brunt of the commotion. However, she claimed that members of the ABVP and DUSU barged in the college and misbehaved with the officials.

Authorities’ stance

A senior member of the administration said that the college complied with the admission process of all candidates who met the cut-off requirements after the ABVP volunteers barged in. However, the number of seats would act as a hindrance for them to undertake the subject-combination of their choice.

According to sources, a committee was set up to look into this issue.

Daulat Ram has set the cut-off for B.A. Programme at 91% this year, a lower number as compared to other North Campus colleges. An all girls’ college, it offers 169 seats for the course. The next cut-off list is scheduled to be announced by the midnight of June 30th.

 

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Saumya Kalia
[email protected]

 

Putting a pause on the ongoing tussle between students and the Bar Council of India (BCI), the Delhi High Court has asked Delhi University to admit 2,310 students in the LLB course for the 2017-18 academic session.

Manmohan and Justice Vinod Goel, in an interim order, reasoned, “Don’t reduce the number of seats. Students want to study, let them study. DU has been teaching 2,310 students till now. You (BCI) decided to reduce the seats to half. We need time to decide the case. Till then let 2,310 study.”  

The bench has posted the matter for the next hearing on August 21st.

The court’s order came from a PIL by lawyer Joginder Kumar Sukhija, against the decision of the 800+ seat cuts. The petition asserted that by reducing the seats, public money, which was used to provide grant to the varsity, would not be put to optimal use. Other than that, a large number of students will be affected if the seats were reduced.

In August 2016, the BCI has asked Delhi University (DU) to admit a maximum of 1,440 students in its three centers LLB courses, and to shutdown colleges offering law courses in the evening shifts. The policy decision of shutting down evening colleges has been taken after the BCI reported that the law programmes offered in evening and night hours do not comply with rules that appropriate the quality of legal education that is imparted to students.

However, Delhi University opposed the reduction of seats for the law graduate course, on grounds that it had improved its infrastructure and increased the strength of its teaching faculty.

Earlier this month, BCI had also imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on DU for not paying affiliation fees and continuing to teach without permission.

Following the seat cut proposal, many protests have been held across the campus against the proposal. While, this latest development is seen as a major relief to law aspirants, but whether or not there will be a seat cut in the next academic session will only be made clear after August 21st.

 

Image Credits: DU Beat

Niharika Dabral
[email protected]

The Non Collegiate Women’s Education Board’s (NCWEB) latest decision to open a new teaching centre at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College has increased the number of available seats for students by a whopping 500. This is welcome news for female students from Delhi and NCR who wish to enrol into the various graduate and postgraduate courses which are on offer.  This also happens to be the 26th teaching centre of NCWEB to be launched, thus expanding the seats of this non-formal education body of the University of Delhi (DU) to over 12,000.

Dr. Anju Gupta, NCWEB’s director, states that though the non collegiate students are not allowed to pursue a full-time course alongside the course they have opted for, they can still “opt for part-time courses and jobs, provided they meet the minimum attendance criteria.” Once the cut-off is cleared, the students must come to class only once a week. Though a slightly unconventional and disconnected form of teaching for some, this could be a boon for others wishing to pursue a part-time course, in addition to the one which they are enrolled in. The non collegiate programmes utilise the existing infrastructure of DU colleges during the weekends and academic breaks, therefore adopting a low-cost teaching programme.

Currently offering B.A. and B.Com. courses, M.Sc. (Mathematics) and M.A. in 13 subjects, the first cut-off list for NCWEB’s various programmes is expected to be released on July 1.

 

With inputs from Hindustan Times

Feature Image Credits: Navbharat Times

Deepannita Misra
[email protected]