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Delhi University’s Lakshmibai College introduced NCC units last year to act upon the harassment complaints made by the students around the campus of the women’s college. The units, named after Hindu Goddesses Durga, Kali and Chandi may be discontinued after a year of their implementation due to changes in the authority and differing views on the subject. 

No new enrolments in the units have been observed in this academic year, and the initiative is being planned to be discreetly peeled away from the college guidelines. 

The regiments, introduced by the then principal, Pratyush Vatsala, were an attempt to  empower young women, teachers and students and convert the campus into a safe space for every individual. 

The selection for these units was made out of the college’s NCC wing, and the students had to go through a rigorous interview process. The chosen applicants were assigned one of the units along with their own uniforms consisting of the coloured themes of red, white and black. The college ensured weekly self-defence training of the members for their own safety and equipped them with bicycles to certify timely appearance in case of any such events reported.

The initiative was met with mixed responses throughout the campus upon its launch. Similar emotions are being stirred up again with the circulation of news of its termination.

A third-year student, who was a participant of the regiment, told The Times of India,Now that the principal has changed, the system seems to be fading away. There have been no interviews or enrolments this year. We are not happy about it because such incidents of harassment are still a daily reality for us around the college.” She added, “Though a police cab is always stationed outside, the units gave us confidence to act when needed. It was an encouraging move and had a positive impact.” 

During its initiation, the move was described by the college administration as a proactive step in making the campus safer, but the action drew criticism along the lines of accountability. Few believed that this would lead to the students taking the law into their own hands rather than relying on the authorities or the institute. 

A faculty member expressed their concerns about the potential risks and said that the idea might unintentionally put students in harm’s way. 

Image Credits: Collegedunia

Ananya Agarwal
[email protected]

Read Also: Sensitization Programme for NSS Volunteers and NCC Cadets Under Swachhta Hi Seva – 2025

Kirori Mal College (KMC) launches Project Samaavesh, a pioneering initiative supporting visually impaired students with training, resources, and awareness programs to build an inclusive and empowering campus environment.

A quiet revolution is underway at Kirori Mal College (KMC), as a new initiative titled ‘Project Samaavesh – Towards Inclusion and Empowerment’ is actively reshaping campus life for its visually impaired students. More than just a support system, the project is a lifeline, offering tailored guidance, skills training, and, crucially, a sense of belonging to a community often grappling with isolation and limited resources.

“Inclusion is not a favour; it is a right,” states KMC Principal Dinesh Khattar. “There may be limits on sight, but there are no limits on vision.” This powerful sentiment underpins Project Samaavesh, a joint effort by the Centre for Disability Research and Training (CDRT) at KMC and the Score Foundation. The initiative’s core mission is to promote true inclusion through a dedicated on-campus help desk, where visually impaired students can receive support tailored to their individual needs and aspirations.

The project begins with a comprehensive assessment of each student, followed by the development of a customised support plan. This personalised approach directly addresses the systemic gaps prevalent in many academic institutions, where “enabling units lie dormant,” as described by Ankita Verma, a student from Miranda House. Verma highlights a critical issue, stating, “Technology is important, but our basic needs are still unmet,” a reality that Samaavesh seeks to change. The project provides training in essential skills like computer literacy, STEM, AI, and the use of assistive tools, equipping students with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive world.

Beyond resources, Project Samaavesh is fundamentally about changing perspectives. Someshwar Sati, CDRT coordinator, challenges the very definition of disability, asking, “If I give the audience a book in Braille and they can’t read it, are they disabled? Why can’t we embrace different ways of being as part of human diversity?” This philosophical approach is translated into action through sensitisation programmes and awareness campaigns aimed at students, faculty, and staff, fostering empathy and dismantling unconscious biases.

The transformative impact of the project is already evident in the lives of its participants. Sachin Kumar, a KMC political science graduate now pursuing his master’s at JNU, credits the initiative for his personal and academic growth. “When I joined CDRT, we focused on creating initiatives for inclusion,” he says. “We worked to spread awareness and make an impact. Society still doesn’t recognise the full potential of the disabled community. These programmes help bridge that gap.”

For Narendra Kumar Kashyap, a third-year Sanskrit student from Amethi, the project has eased a personal struggle. “Reading content is the biggest challenge. Interacting with peers is also difficult,” he shares. Since joining the program, however, his sense of isolation has diminished. “The gap is bridging,” he says, with a renewed sense of hope for his dream of becoming a teacher. As Sati poignantly puts it, “Nazariya badal denge toh nazar bhi badal jaayegi“—if we change the lens, our view will change too. At KMC, that change is already taking hold, creating a more inclusive and equitable campus for all.

 

Read Also – 32 Students Move Delhi HC Against DU’s LL.M. Practice Prohibition

 

Image Source – careers360

 

Richa Choudhary

[email protected]

The Delhi High Court in its hearing on19th August has issued notice on a plea challenging a condition enforced by the Delhi University stating that the two-year LL.M. programme is available only to students who are not engaged in any employment, trade, profession, business, or occupation. Justice Vikas Mahajan sought response of the University and Bar Council of India (BCI) and listed the matter for hearing on September 25. The plea has been filed by 32 students who are pursuing LL.M at the faculty of law for the session 2024–2026. Their case alleges that the condition is ‘ arbitrary, ultra vires and unconstitutional’. The plea stated:

 On the strength of this aforementioned Notification, the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi by way of rules, imposed an affidavit condition which requires LL.M. (2-year course) students to declare that they will not practise law during the course of their studies. The Petitioners who are already enrolled as advocates submit that this condition is arbitrary, unconstitutional, and directly violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution.”

They further add that other universities, including the ones that offer more rigorous one-year LL.M. programmes, do not impose such restrictions, allowing students to simultaneously practise law and gain practical experience. This, they argue, places DU’s students at a disadvantage compared to their competing institutions when applying for judicial services or other professional opportunities.

Image Credits: Bar and Bench 

Divyanshi Dusad
[email protected]

Also Read: Students of Campus Law Centre Protest Against Unjust ICC Elections

As the much-anticipated DUSU elections dawn upon Delhi University, the administration’s decision to impose a mandatory ₹1 Lakh bond on contesting candidates has triggered a storm of protest. What the administration portrays as a measure of accountability is being widely condemned as a deliberate financial barrier that strikes right at the heart of campus democracy. For decades, DUSU has stood as a microcosm of Indian democracy, producing leaders who went on to shape national politics. By attaching a steep financial cost to participation, the administration risks rewriting that history. 

The policy has ignited rare partnerships as long-time rival student organisations come together to protest. While major organisations like ABVP and NSUI have historically housed high-profile candidates and expensive campaigns, they, too, have accused the new policy of being undemocratic and regressive. NSUI President Varun Chaudhary termed it a ‘political weapon’ that works in favour of their adversary, ABVP. 

Leftist student organisations like the Student Federation of India (SFI) also demand the withdrawal of the bond, describing it as “a regressive move that is nothing short of an elitist barrier designed to exclude ordinary students from democratic participation and stifle genuine student voices”. SFI calls out the university for their “anti–common student nature”, and highlights the growing concern over the integrity of free and fair student politics in India.

The imposition of this bond also raises much larger questions, especially those that target the identity of the university itself. The protesters claim that while administrations often justify restrictions in the name of discipline, the cumulative effect is a systematic narrowing of democratic participation. In an institution renowned for its inclusivity, the bond seems like a gatekeeping tool and risks silencing those very voices the union is meant to represent. Rather than strengthening electoral integrity, the bond tethers participation to monetary capacity, shrinking democracy to those who can afford it. 

With the DUSU election process now officially announced for September, the ₹1 lakh bond feels like more than just a procedural rule. For many students, it seems like a statement of who is considered fit to participate in democracy and who is not. As the elections draw closer and the campaigns gather pace, the debate over the bond is likely to remain at the centre of campus politics.

Image Source: The Hindu 

Navya Chandok
[email protected]

Read Also: DU Cracks Down on Poster Politics Ahead of Election Season

Delhi University was recently criticized by a parliamentary committee for ‘faulty implementation’ of SC/ST reservation rosters, leading to lost faculty posts, dismal student admissions, and a call for urgent reforms.

The University of Delhi is currently under intense scrutiny from the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, which has accused the institution of significant lapses in implementing reservation policies. The report reveals widespread “discrepancies” in the recasting of reservation rosters, allegedly leading to the loss of legitimate posts for the Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Scheduled Tribes (ST) faculty and a “dismal” representation of these communities in student admissions. The panel’s report noted that the representation of SC students was below the 15% prescribed quota except in 2024-25, when it barely crossed the required threshold. 

The Committee’s principal concern centers on the university’s 2013 decision to switch its reservation policy from “department as a unit” to “university as a unit”. This change, the report contends, resulted in numerous unreserved posts being improperly converted to reserved ones, with the university reportedly failing to notify these newly identified backlog vacancies. In some alarming instances, these reserved posts were even “dereserved” and filled by unreserved candidates, effectively snatching opportunities away from eligible SC and ST applicants. 

The Committee are constrained to note that since the inception of the exercise of recasting rosters in University of Delhi, the same has been marred with various discrepancies and shortcomings due to its faulty implementation,”

the report stated unequivocally

The parliamentary panel also highlighted that the alphabetical arrangement of departments during this recasting inadvertently led to imbalances in the distribution of reserved positions, further aggravating the issue. The committee vehemently rejected the university’s assertion that there are no backlog vacancies. It has issued a stern directive to DU to immediately identify these elusive posts and initiate a special recruitment drive to fill them within an ambitious three-month deadline. Furthermore, the committee recommended that any reserved posts currently occupied by unreserved faculty must be reassigned to eligible SC/ST candidates as soon as they fall vacant. To promote transparency and accountability, it also mandated the online publication of updated reservation lists. 

Expressing serious concern about the lack of SC/ST staff, especially at the associate professor and professor levels, the panel urged the university to provide concessions and relaxations for eligible candidates. It criticized the common use of “None Found Suitable” as a reason to reject qualified SC/ST applicants, seeing it as an obstacle to proper representation. To promote job security and fairness, the committee recommended the immediate regularization of long-serving ad hoc and contractual employees from these communities. The panel headed by BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste noted that despite there being  68 colleges under DU, the University only has one SC/ST Cell that too “with meagre staff”. 

Beyond faculty appointments, the report also highlighted important issues related to student admissions, describing the low enrolment of ST students, despite existing concessions, and recommended a considerable cut-off reduction to ensure that reserved seats are filled properly. The committee also discovered that the reservation rules for hostel accommodations were not being applied consistently and suggested creating dedicated SC/ST hostels to tackle this gap. 

To strengthen institutional support, the committee further recommended setting up SC/ST cells in every college under the University of Delhi. It also suggested sharing principal posts among colleges to ensure that reservation policies are effectively applied at this important administrative level. Finally, to improve professional development and exposure, the committee also recommended increasing the nominations of SC/ST staff for foreign training programs.

 

Read Also – Delhi University Earns an A++ NAAC Grade Upon the Second Round of Evaluation

Featured image Source – News18

 

Richa Choudhary

[email protected]

The daily journey to Delhi College of Arts & Commerce (DCAC) is becoming harder, riskier, and more frustrating for students, as key roads around the college remain broken and unsafe. Despite these conditions being a long-standing problem, no steps have been taken by the relevant authorities to address them.

One of the latest disruptions is the digging of the lane leading to Mini Market, the only nearby eatery frequented by students. The path has been broken for the construction of a mall, leaving the area littered with debris and obstructing movement to the market which is a vital stop for students looking for affordable food options close to campus. 

The road problems, however, extend far beyond Mini Market. The two main routes students take to college and back are in a poor state. The Metro route, popular because of its relatively short distance, is inconvenient to take as students walking or commuting along it face uneven surfaces that make it difficult to navigate, especially during the monsoon when potholes get filled with water. On top of this, the stretch is known for repeated incidents of catcalling and harassment, making it particularly unsafe for women students. Tinkle Singh, a second year student says:

We always have to walk in groups to the metro and taking an auto everyday is not financially viable. It’s not just the potholes, it’s also the stares and comments that make it unsafe.”

The only road between DCAC and ARD Complex, a key residential area where many students live, has also been in disrepair. Potholes, dust, and an uneven road surface have become part of the daily commute, affecting both pedestrians and those travelling by auto. Anjali, a third year student of DCAC and a residential of ARD says:

The street near the roundabout sees pathetic puddles and it is almost impossible to commute without an auto when it rains.”

Additionally the road has seen no significant repair work in almost 2 years, and with no proper footpaths or lighting, it poses safety risks at all hours. The problems are compounded by the lack of traffic regulation. Speeding vehicles are a common sight, and even the potholes acting as the speed breakers do little to slow them down. 

Despite repeated inconveniences, there has been no sign of improvement from the civic authorities responsible for road maintenance. No repair work has been initiated, and no safety measures such as CCTV cameras or patrolling have been introduced on these paths. The only official action so far has come from the college itself, which issued a notice saying:

“Students who walk from Metro to College and College to Metro are hereby advised to travel in groups as a park, construction site and other isolated areas fall in the route.”

For students, this lack of response is not just an inconvenience – it is an everyday challenge that impacts their ability to attend classes safely and on time. 

Picture Credits: Juhi Bansal for DU Beat

Juhi Bansal
[email protected]

Also Read: AAP’s Revamped Student Wing Gears Up For DUSU Elections

Delhi University officially secures its position in the prestigious list of Higher Education Institutes of India by receiving the highest NAAC grade, ‘A++’, on 9th August, 2025.

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) recently bestowed upon Delhi University (DU) and Lucknow’s King George’s Medical University (KGMU) its highest accreditation grade of A++. 

In the latest assessment, which was also the second cycle of evaluation, Delhi University was honoured with a CGPA of 3.55, reaffirming its position as one of the prominent institutions of the country. KGMU became the second medical institution in Uttar Pradesh to receive this excellence, earning a CGPA of 3.67. 

In a public statement Delhi University proudly said,

This achievement reflects the collective dedication of our faculty, students, staff, alumni, and stakeholders.”

Before having received this certification, DU has had many of its individual institutions honoured with the same long before. 

Shri Ram College of Commerce, the leading institution of DU was awarded with an A+ grade in the year 2016, with a CGPA of 3.65. In the second round of evaluation, it moved up to A++ accreditation with a CGPA rating of 3.75 now.

Two of Delhi University’s women colleges, namely Lady Shri Ram College and Miranda House have been awarded A++ in their second round of evaluation, with LSR bagging a CGPA of 3.75 in 2023. Similarly, Miranda House received the accreditation with a CGPA of 3.61. Joining the other acclaimed colleges, St. Stephens too received an accreditation of A++ in the year 2023 with a CGPA of 3.76 alongside Hansraj that bagged a grade of 3.71 CGPA. Other colleges like Ramjas, Kirori Mal, and Hindu also have an A+ grade conferred upon them. 

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was established in 1994 by the University Grants Commission of India (UGC). It is an autonomous body that assesses and evaluates the quality status of a higher education institution and inspects the performance of the said educational body related to education, faculty, research, infrastructure, curriculum coverage, governance and much more. The council uses a seven-point grading system to evaluate colleges ranging from A++ to D. The accreditations are valid for a period of five years. 

Although established in the year 1922, Delhi University received its first NAAC grade of A+ in the year 2018 with a CGPA of 3.28. The University worked its way up to the 6th position in the NIRF ranking amongst Universities in India and 15th position overall. 

 

Read Also: Delhi University Relaxes Criteria for Minor Subject Selection Under UGCF

 

Image Source: DU Squad

 

Ananya Agarwal

[email protected]

A swarm of wide-eyed youth – breaking into “ethnic-chic” from their everyday, boring school uniforms – filled up the streets on the very first August morning of 2025. 

As chaos made its way to the corridors of Delhi University Colleges, a sense of new beginnings was once again reignited in the minds of experience-laden seniors. Most colleges welcomed freshers with fourth-year undergraduates for their first day. All classes remained suspended except for Kirori Mal College, whose orientation was held on Wednesday. The decorated campuses came alive with the chatter of students wanting to have the full college-life experience, from making new friends to joining new societies and following their DU dreams. 

“I could not sleep last night. I kept thinking about the friends I am going to make, the societies I am going to join, the food I am going to explore,” Rashmi Taneja told HT as she stepped into the college for the first time – in a light pink chikankari salwar suit and heavy jhumkas. 

Many colleges followed a different scheme – breaking up the orientation programmes into slots or days to accommodate the huge cohort of students joining in. Like CVS will be holding its full-body orientation on Monday, following the departmental orientations held on Friday.  On the other hand, Hansraj College held a havan ceremony to mark the start of a new academic year. Several early morning sports activities, performances by the college music society and an anti-ragging rally led by the NCC and anti-ragging committee were arranged by the college.

The vibrant helpdesks and over-enthusiastic club leaders made the whole experience feel even more fulfilling. “I was honestly terrified of ragging,” admitted Diksha to the Newsdrum. “But the moment I stepped in, all that fear vanished. Everyone has been so kind. Seniors are like older siblings – funny and helpful,” she commented. 

Shri Ram College of Commerce, the most sought-after DU college, held its orientation ceremony on Thursday. Principal Professor Smriti Kaur told PTI that preparations are in order, as this entire year will be celebrated as the ‘centenary year’. Meanwhile, students from ABVP, AISA, and SFI set up colorful stalls outside colleges, distributing pamphlets, bookmarks, and bags to woo freshers. Some welcomed newcomers with tilak and flowers. 

As reported by Times of India, for Prachi, the first day at DU was not just stepping into college – but stepping into her power. “Disability does not define me,” she said with quiet strength, standing outside Miranda House, where she secured admission under the PwD category. It was her dream college, and she got in. Born with a short limb, Prachi never let her condition set the limits of her ambition. “Some people see it as a barrier, but I have always chosen to see it as just one part of my story,” she said. 

That said, the day concluded with solemn satisfaction. As the red brick walls felt the new set of gaze set upon them, the coveted halls were filled with pride. “All programmes ran smoothly” said Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh. 

Read Also: DU Announces Schedule for Third Round of CSAS UG

Image Credits: Hindu College

Shreya Bhushan 

[email protected]

Delhi University’s push for a fourth year under FYUP has left chaos in its wake with missing infrastructure, mounting workload, and no exit in sight. Has the university confused rhetoric with reform in its rollout?

With a notification dated July 31, 2025, Delhi University formally enforced the fourth year of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme starting August 1. What should have been a thoughtful academic transition has arrived as a poorly managed surprise, marred by missing infrastructure, insufficient faculty, and an undefined syllabus. For over a year, Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh has endorsed FYUP as a transformative, student-centric reform aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. But students and teachers alike reveal a rushed, unclear rollout, exposing the lack of structure and support that has left students in the crossfire.

According to the notification, the Executive Council met on July 12, 2025, to deliberate on the implementation of the fourth year, recommending that colleges operate from 8 AM to 8 PM to optimise resource usage. While students may choose from a basket of courses, actual availability depends on faculty norms. Faculty deployment will follow existing rules, with guest faculty hired if needed. Though extra staff workload is acknowledged, no clear compensation is outlined. The Council stressed that only experienced, regular faculty should teach the fourth year. Citing UGC Clause 15, the notification reiterates that full-time teachers must work 40 hours a week over 30 weeks annually, including five hours daily on campus and two hours for mentoring, with 16 teaching hours weekly for Assistant Professors and 14 for senior ranks.

Dr. Mithuraaj Dhusiya, an elected member of the Executive Council, highlights the serious concerns raised by DU’s latest notification:

“Directing colleges to adopt 8 AM to 8 PM daily classes is extremely dangerous from the safety perspective of students and teachers. Further, it just shows that DU is not prepared for the 4th year on both counts: infrastructure and manpower. It also insults newly appointed teachers by implying that only senior teachers can teach the 4th year. Teaching is based on areas of specialisation, not age.”

The last-minute advisory, released a day before the Fourth Year began, raises concerns about the university’s planning process. Abha Dev Habib, Secretary of the Democratic Teachers’ Front and Associate Professor at Miranda House, points to glaring gaps and questions the impossible timelines handed to colleges: 

“Does the University know that teaching distribution and timetables have to be made during vacation itself if classes have to start from day one? New courses have been introduced at the undergraduate level without any workshops or preparatory training for teachers. While some colleges may be able to manage depending on their faculty’s specialisations, the University has made no systematic effort to ensure a smooth rollout.”

Beyond academics, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from faculty for its regressive undertones. Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor at Kirori Mal College and DUTA Executive member, cautions about serious institutional risks:

“The 8 AM–8 PM schedule now has official sanction, pushing a draconian, anti-teacher, and anti-student timetable, especially in colleges lacking basic space. There is also no clarity on how this will affect evening colleges; will they function from 8 PM to 8 AM, or will they be dismantled entirely? The advisory also formalises the exclusion of research supervision from regular workload, paving the way for the overburdening Draft Regulation 2025. The requirement of two hours daily for mentoring 15 students per teacher attempts to quantify meaningful engagement and defeats its purpose. Reserving 4th-year teaching for senior faculty creates a divisive hierarchy. And with many Delhi government-funded colleges still awaiting appointments, ad hoc teachers are now cut out entirely. This not only adds insult to injury but also makes the actual conduct of the fourth year logistically difficult.”

In the end, the most pressing concern remains the lack of choice. With Delhi University’s August 1 deadline behind us, the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme has effectively become a one-way tunnel. Students who may have legitimate academic, financial, or personal reasons to opt out are now left with no transparent pathway to do so. This move erodes student autonomy but also betrays the very spirit of flexibility and choice that the National Education Policy claimed to uphold. What was promised as reform has curdled into rigidity, trapping students in a system that denies their agency. It begs the question, can a system that suppresses dissent and eliminates choice truly claim to educate, let alone empower?

Featured Image Credits: Siva For DU Beat

Neeraja Unnikrishnan
[email protected]

Read Also: Delhi University Relaxes Criteria for Minor Subject Selection Under UGCF

Delhi University to release CSAS-UG 2025 second seat allotment today at 5 PM. Major reshuffling expected as thousands seek upgrades.

The University of Delhi (DU) will release the second round of undergraduate seat allotments today, July 28, at 5 PM, as part of its ongoing centralised admission process for the 2025-26 academic session under the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS-UG). Candidates who applied in the second round can check the allotment list on the official website once it is published.

Ahead of this round, the university had published a list of vacant seats, allowing candidates to re-arrange their preferences between 5 PM on July 24 and 4:59 PM on July 25.

This round of allocations is expected to reflect significant internal reshuffling. While 16,126 candidates chose to freeze their seats after the first round, a majority of 43,741 students opted for upgrades. These students are now awaiting the second list, hoping to move to their preferred colleges or programmes. The updated allotment will reflect these changes, offering candidates another opportunity to secure a seat based on merit and availability of seats.

According to the official schedule, once the second allotment list is released, candidates must accept their seats online between 5 PM on July 28 and 4:59 PM on July 30. Colleges will then verify and approve the online applications by July 31.

To confirm admission, students must pay the requisite fee through the online portal by 4:59 PM on August 1. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the allotted seat. 

Additional rounds of seat allotment may be conducted by the university if vacant seats remain. 

 

Image Credits: Devesh for DU Beat

Neeraja Unnikrishnan
[email protected] 

Also Read: Few Days to Reopen, Still No Syllabi: What’s Happening at DU?