July 15th marked the commencement of the fourth phase of University of Delhi’s merit-based undergraduate admissions. Filling up to 90% of the seats in various colleges, the candidates will be hard-pressed to secure a seat considering most courses have closed admissions.
The undergraduate admissions cycle branches out into merit-based and entrance-based mode of admissions every year; with 50,000 seats out of a total of 56,000 reserved for merit-based procedure, through the announcement of cut-off lists. Officials of the varsity have remarked that 3,500 seats were secured in this leg of admission cycle, with a marginal figure remaining to complete the process.
Eyeing individual colleges, Sri Venkateswara has hit the cap on the number of seats. The Hindustan Times quoted the Principal P Hemalatha Reddy, who delineated, “We have approximately 1,150 seats, and we have approved 1,198 admissions. Almost all the courses will be closed for admissions, especially under the general category, in the next list.” Following close behind, Kirori Mal College has a hundred seats remaining; but, have declared closed the admissions for popular courses. Moving to Daulat Ram College, Principal Savita Roy briefed, “Even in sought after courses such as B.Com, B.Com (Hons) and English (Hons), we have a few seats remaining.” Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College still has doors open, especially for Science students. “We have filled approximately 570 out of our 800 seats. Though most courses are going to be closed, we still have seats in the science courses,” said an associate professor.
Like the previous cut-off trends, this admission cycle too applicants had to endure technical snags and cut-off chaos which plagued their experience. The next, and anticipatedly the last cut-off list, is scheduled to be announced on the evening of July 17th. The new academic session of the University begins on July 20th.
The fervour for postgraduate admissions under the University of Delhi is all set to hit full swing, with the varsity announcing the admissions schedule and process on its technical-snag prone website.
Under PG admissions, all departments have two modes of admission – merit and entrance. Students from the University of Delhi who have performed well at the undergraduate level will take up 50% of the seats. This mode of direct admission is not available to students of other universities. The other 50% of seats will be filled through entrance tests and interviews or group discussions.
The timeline for the admission process dates July 17th-19th for the release of the first admission list and the subsequent steps to secure a seat in the desired college. Entrance for a plethora of courses was conducted in the first week of July; with reports of an assortment of cheating tactics surfacing across different colleges. The varsity announced the results for these entrances over the last two days.
The schedule for admissions, as well as the list of documents required at the Reporting Centres, are as follows:
Graphic by Kartik Kakar for DU Beat
Here’s a rundown of the admissions process of the applicants:
All the registered applicants should have successfully updated the details of their qualifying exams on the portals (which were reopened till July 14th).
For the ‘merit category,’ it is mandatory for the candidates to upload the aforementioned marks on the portal to be considered for inclusion in the Admissions List. For the ‘entrance category,’ there is no such clause.
Departments who announce the results will declare the First Admissions List on their websites on July 17th, 2017. The list will be comprehensive in terms of both the mode of admissions and for all categories. The allotment of the applicants has been calculated on the basis of the rank and availability of seats in the desired college. The applicant will have to visit the college to verify the documents and pay the fees to complete the admissions process.
Having met the allotment list, the applicants is required to log on to the PG portal, and download and fill the Admission Form. The Form will distinctly mention the Reporting Centre (where the applicant will report) and the Place of Admission (where the applicant will be admitted).
The applicant can then proceed to the Reporting Centre with the Admission Form and the required documents for the verification process. The applicant will then be marked ‘verified’ or ‘reported’ depending on whether he/she has the mark-sheet of the qualifying examination; with the former category possessing the said document. These applicants will then move to the Place of Admission for allotting the original documents, and certificates will be retained at these colleges.
The applicants can then log on to their portals to make the online fee payment within the stipulated period, which would watermark their admission in a particular college.
After a tumultuous admission process in the first three windows of admission, the varsity is all set to announce the fourth cut-off list by midnight on its website. With 15,000 seats yet to be occupied, the fourth leg of admissions cycle has officially commenced from today evening, with individual colleges have begun releasing the list for the fourth cycle of admissions.
While most of the colleges have closed admissions for popular courses, students still have a chance to secure seats in select streams.
Currently, several colleges have already released their cut-offs, which can be accessed by clicking on the relevant Institute:
The admissions to the fourth cut-off list will be conducted between July 13th and 15th at the respective colleges. For a rundown of the admission process and a list of the documents to be carried, you can read the full report here. If you wish to cancel your admission in the current college to make you eligible for admission in the fourth cut-off, read our report on the withdrawal procedure here.
Stay tuned to our page, for the list will be updated as and when the colleges announce their cut-offs.
In yet another worrying move for aspirants, the University of Delhi (DU) has decided to stop the admission of all candidates who passed their 12th grade examinations from the Haryana Board of Secondary Education (HBSE). Contradictions between the marks displayed on HSBE’s official website and those mentioned in the applicants’ mark-sheets led DU’s officials to take this extreme measure.
“While on the website, the score has been segregated by giving 60 marks to theory, 20 for practicals and 20 for continuous evaluation, the mark-sheets show a division of 70:20 with 70 for theory and 20 for practicals. This has been rejected by the varsity…” said a senior official of the admission committee, as reported by The Pioneer. DU had contacted the HSBE formally a few days ago, but the officials claim that they received “no communication” from the Board. With all lines of formal communication between the Board and the varsity thus collapsing, the students are stranded and left to fend for themselves. The colleges which had previously granted admission to the candidates of the Haryana Board on the basis of documents, since discovering the loophole in their mark-sheets, have suspended their admission. Furthermore, the admission committee has notified other colleges not to proceed with the admission of these candidates from now onwards.
With thousands thronging the varsity from all across the country and the globe, and only a few days available to the students to grab their seats after a new cut-off list has been issued, being denied admission on the basis of a faulty mark-sheet comes across as something unwarranted and unfair. While the Board refuses to cooperate, the University refuses to bend its rules for anybody. This tussle could go on perennially with the chief casualties being the hundreds of helpless, innocent students unless the authorities on both ends wake up soon to resolve the matter.
However, when approached by the Press Trust of India, the varsity denied the declaration of this decision. M.K. Pandit, Chairman of the admissions standing committee, refuting the above decision stated, “There are students from Haryana who are being admitted to prestigious colleges. News relating to stalling of admissions is false!”
The University Grants Commission (UGC), a statutory body that provides recognition and funds to several institutes of higher education across India, including the University of Delhi, has recently issued a statement asking varsities to install sanitary napkin incinerators in all women’s hostels. The move aims to benefit both the environment and women’s hygiene.
A communication by the UGC stated, “In an effort to promote proper disposal of menstrual waste and promote the Swachh Bharat Mission, it is imperative that we take the initiative to promote menstrual sanitation and proper disposal of menstrual waste by creating awareness, encouraging every woman to use eco-friendly incinerators and promoting research for biodegradable alternatives.” The communication also added, “You are requested to consider the installation of these machines within the premises of women’s hostels.”
According to the UGC, the estimated cost of the equipment is INR 49,646, an amount that can be “directly booked under the solid waste management component of the Swachh Bharat Mission”. The statutory body also elaborated that HLL Lifecare Limited, which is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Health, has recently introduced vending machines and incinerators for sanitary napkins.
Proper disposal of menstrual waste is crucial for feminine hygiene as well as for the environment. Sanitary napkins are the go-to product for the majority of Indian women. The material that they are made of is non-biodegradable. This means that the disposal of pads in household trash leads to landfills overflowing with menstrual waste. Burning them is not a solution as it leads to the release of toxic fumes into the atmosphere. Additionally, sanitary napkins that are disposed incorrectly often end up blocking drainage systems. There is also the high risk of disease and unhygienic conditions near areas where menstrual waste is concentrated. Menstrual blood in open air attracts all sorts of bacteria to grow in it and affect the hygiene of the surroundings.
Incinerators are the best way to dispose of sanitary napkins. They provide a long-lasting and eco-friendly solution by restricting the amount of smoke produced in the incineration to the small machine. The communication by the UGC is, therefore, a welcome step in making sure women’s accommodation caters to their specific needs and provides proper hygiene along with fulfilling environmental responsibilities.
In a bizarre and never before witnessed move, the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) has issued a letter which reads: “DUSU hereby authorises Nanu Girls PG to promote their respective PG accommodation within the north campus. They are allowed to distribute pamphlets.” Furthermore, its letterhead bears the logo of the University of Delhi (DU). Meanwhile, Priyanka Chhawri, the office-bearer who issued the letter on behalf of DUSU, defended her stance as a well-intended measure to reach out to outstation students. However, the move seems not to have gone down too well with the University officials.
“No one can do such a thing. How can a university recommend a private accommodation? We will look into the matter,” commented a senior official in the proctor’s office, as reported by The Indian Express. The officials seem to have been unaware of the decision. Meanwhile, Chhawri is adamant in denying the allegations that her personal “stakes” are involved in any way, seeing as the letter promotes Nanu PG specifically. “If other PGs approach me, I will look into it,” she says. She maintains that this is her way of “helping” the hapless parents and students sending her repeated queries, asking her for details regarding “good” and “affordable” paying guest accommodations in the vicinity of north campus. Meanwhile, other DUSU office bearers have denied having any knowledge of the same.
With the admission process already delayed and a row being created over the availability of seats in some colleges, this fiasco comes across as yet another obstruction in the way of the not-so-smooth sailing admission season. For many of the unsure, unfamiliar outstation students, life in DU is still an uncharted territory. It is a race to the finish line involving both parents and students, which does not end merely at getting admission into a college. With few hostel seats available, feasible accommodation remains a major source of worry and hassle for many. In these times, a callous move coming especially from a body of responsibility such as DUSU, comprising of representatives elected by and for the students, reflects poorly on the student organisation’s management of the admission season. If anything, it seems to add to the chaos and has the potential to leave the university officials red-faced.
UPDATE
Delhi University Student Union(DUSU) has come out with an official statement saying that the Union is against the system of private accommodation in the University. It further stated that DUSU is committed to fighting for an increase of University Hostels seats and aims to provide University accommodation to as many students as possible.
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
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.
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.
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:
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.
Ensure that you have confirmed the requisites for the Best of Four calculation before you proceed.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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:
B.A. (Hons.) Business Economics
Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS)
Bachelor of Business Administration (Financial Investment Analysis) (BBA (FIA))
B.A. (Hons.) Humanities and Social Sciences
B.Tech. (Information Technology and Mathematical Innovation)
Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.)
B.Sc. Physical Education, Health Education, and Sports (B.Sc. (P.E.H.E.&S.))
B.A. (Hons.) Multimedia and Mass Communication
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.
