Once again, Delhi University faces increasing scrutiny over semester exam mismanagement, leaving students grappling with uncertainty and academic distress. From students standing in long lines to get admit cards stamped to travelling lengthy distances in freezing cold air laced with toxic pollution, Delhi University’s semester exams are taking a serious toll on students.
The situation is further intensified by Delhi University’s failure to conduct its own scheduled examinations. The lapse came to light when over 800 papers scheduled for 13 December could not be held after the question papers were not dispatched on time to examination centres. While the issue was later resolved for Honours course students, Programme course students were left in a conundrum, with their examinations rescheduled for the second week of January 2026, as stated in Delhi University’s Official notification:
This is to notify all concerned that approx. 800 papers were scheduled for the morning session today and due to some logistical issues, few papers could not be dispatched and the same could not be conducted at some examination centres. It is hereby informed that the said logistical issue was subsequently rectified, and the question papers were successfully sent thereafter. However, the students of Honours Courses who have to appear in three Core subjects were given four slots can appear in the subsequent three slots, while for Program Courses revised schedule/date(s) for the affected paper(s) shall be announced and notified separately in due course and will be conducted by the second week of January, 2026.”
A similar situation unfolded at the Delhi College of Arts and Commerce on 23 December, where the absence of seating plans for first year BA (Hons) Journalism students led to a delay in the examination, a student recalled. A lack of proper infrastructure has further pushed students to question their academic choices, with several students reporting being given broken tables during examinations. Although the issue was eventually resolved, it left serious questions about administrative preparedness.
On 24 December, another such incident was reported at Zakir Hussain College, where third-year students were allegedly handed BSc Physics question papers in place of their prescribed syllabus. This serious lapse in question paper distribution, which itself was given after an 1.5 hour delay, became even worse when the authorities reportedly labelled the incorrect papers with the actual course codes, highlighting the grave state of examination management at Delhi University. The incident has left students grappling with extreme anxiety, with many demanding either the grace marks be given or a re-examination.
While many such issues were eventually addressed, several students continued to struggle. This is not an isolated concern; the university as a whole appears to be grappling with systemic lapses. If such events persist, they risk seriously undermining the academic and administrative excellence Delhi University is known for.
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Featured Image Credits: Devesh for DU BEAT
Rahul Kumar
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