Latest
DU Beat – Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper
Tag

JNU

Browsing
Campus Central

JNU to Start MCQ Entrance Exam with More Than One Correct Option

By

A new method of entrance examination has been devised by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) where marking more than one option would not be considered incorrect and will be evaluated accordingly.

Jawaharlal Nehru University is set to introduce objective type questions for the next entrance examinations. The entrance will have multiple choice questions in checkboxes where the students can select more than one correct option. The online entrance is scheduled to take place in December this year. Comprehensive and detailed work is going on with experts to work on this model of examination.

Earlier, in July 2018, the University decided to start online entrance examinations from the next academic session. This was among many decisions taken up during the 146th Academic Council meeting in July. A number of other issues to bring about major improvements in academic and research activities of the students were also taken up. Many academic council members felt that this decision would bring fairness and efficiency to the admission process.

While speaking to DU Beat, Oorja, a student of JNU said, “The students are against the objective entrance test. It is going to hamper the ethos of the University.  It is very important for the students to have a subjective test at least in M.A. There are many students who appear in JNU entrance exam who have a little knowledge of the internet and it’s working. It’s basically a move by the Vice Chancellor of the University, making JNU work like another university in the country. The question paper will also be outsourced with examiners from outside formulating the questions. This looks like a move towards privatisation. Nivedita Menon and KM Chenoy are two faculty members who are opposing this move endlessly. ”

Sudhir Suthar, Secretary of Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers Association (JNUTA) said, “The Teachers Association is against the move by the University. This system of examination is itself questionable since JNU campus has internet connectivity issues and there are a number of students from rural backgrounds as well as students from North-east and other parts of India who do not know how to operate on the ongoing technology. The examination centres earlier had some regional autonomy but with this move, they are going to lose their autonomy. The students used to get some help manually in understanding certain things earlier but now the students will have to do all of it on their own.”

Anoushka Sharma

[email protected]

Feature Image Credits: Indian Education Review

Keep Reading
By
News

JNU to Introduce MBA Course from 2019, Will Accept CAT Scores

By

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is all set to embark into the management and corporate world, offering admissions into it’s MBA program based on CAT results.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi has announced that the scores of Common Admission Test (CAT) 2018 will be accepted by the varsity for admission to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme offered at JNU. The news came on Monday, 30th July 2018, with a tweet from the Vice Chancellor of JNU, Dr. M. Jagadesh Kumar.

Established in 1969, JNU is one of India’s best institutions known for its multidisciplinary approach to education and commitment to social justice.
The MBA programme, one of the 34 Post Graduate Programmes available at JNU, will be offered through JNU’s newly announced School of Management and Entrepreneurship. 2019 will be the flagship year for the MBA programme, and the session is scheduled to commence in July 2019. School of Management and Entrepreneurship at JNU aims to benefit the society in general and aspirants from underprivileged background in particular, as they get access to education and skills on international standards.  CAT scores are accepted by many business schools in India, and this decision on behalf of the management is expected to increase the transparency of the admission procedure.

The Common Entrance Exam 2018 is scheduled to be held on Sunday, 25 November 2018. Here are the Important dates:

  • Registration process: August 8
  • Registration ends: September 19
  • Admit cards download begins: October 25
  • Test day: November 25
  • Declaration of results: Second week of January, 2019

 

More information at https://iimcat.ac.in.

DU Beat wishes all CAT Aspirants the very best!

 

Nikita Bhatia

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
DUB Speak

Dear Agent Rana, please don’t save the country

By

Since September, the Times of India began devoting a regular column to the Agent Rana comic. Written by television journalists and author, Juggi Bhasin, and illustrated by Subodh Poddar, the comic is “an action-packed, exciting, serialized graphic novel” whose protagonist is Agent Rana, a hyper-masculine-all-talented-spy who saves the country against the dangers of terrorists, nefarious sleeper cells, and conspiracies. The aesthetics and character development (or lack of it) screams sloppy pulp-fiction-noir stereotypes. Ever since the graphic series came out, it was marred by controversies.

 

Even though the comic has ever since started with content that was laced with islamophobia, the recent story line that introduces a new character, who many believe is based on the Jawaharlal Nehru University student leader Shehla Rashid, has caused major outbursts on social media. The character, Sameera, is described as a ‘firebrand’ leader who is leading protests against the vice-chancellor at the National University of Delhi.  This imagery is reminiscent of 2016 Jawaharlal Nehru College protests. Later an ISI agent (disguising as a terminally ill ex-student and well-wisher) offers 50 lakhs to the agitating students to aid their movement. Sammera naively accepts the money and even offers to show him her hostel room only to be raped and killed in an horrifying manner. The question isn’t just about the graphic representation of sexual violence in a leading daily, and the distasteful or casual manner in which sexual harassment is depicted in it – without adding anything substantial in the story – but how it resembles a living person without her consent.  

Feminist groups have also pointed towards the resemblance of the comic character and Shehla. 

 

American journalist, writer, and musician Benjamin Norton was among those who noticed the similarity.  

Speaking about the comic, Shehla wrote in a Tweet, “That’s Indian media preparing for genocide. Genocide almost always follows villainous caricatures/depictions in popular culture and mass media.”

 

This recent incident isn’t the first time the comic is facing backlash.

Earlier in September, Antara Sen Dave, a reader and a concerned parent has initiated a petition on change.org, asking the newspaper to stop the publication of the novel for its sexually inappropriate content.  When asked whether there will be any changes in the comic or will it be discontinued, author Juggi Bhasin told Scoop Whoop that, “The art team has taken note of the views of some of the readers who have found some parts of the content unpalatable. The feedback from readers is always taken seriously and keeping this in mind, we will, as far as it is practicable in terms of keeping the story line in mind, present the content in a manner that it does not affect the sensibilities of the valued readers.” (Read it here.)


By looks of the newly produced content, it seems that the makers of Agent Rana have no intention of mending their ways. Or perhaps, they are market savvy and know that their readership demographic, which is right-wing, misogynistic, and sadistic, and those who will continue to consume this content. This is sad, but the truth. Unless we all collectively realize that Agent Rana is the not the spy we need.

 

Feature Image Credits: Agent Rana, Facebook

Niharika Dabral

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
News

New Year’s Drug Supply Crackdown: Narcotics Bureau Arrests Four University Students

By

The students were involved in the supply chain of over a kilogram of Charas and LSD blot papers to Jaipur and around NCR.

In a major development before the New Year celebrations, the Delhi Zonal Unit of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested four students from across the top Delhi Colleges on Saturday. Among the arrested were Sam Mallick from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Gaurav Kumar and Tenzin Phunchog from Hindu College of University of Delhi and Anirudh Mathur from Amity University. The arrest was made after the the Narcotics Bureau received information on 28 December about the drug use and peddling around these campuses.

“For the last few months, NCB Delhi Zonal unit had been receiving inputs about drug peddling and intense abuse of drugs around institutional areas like Delhi University, Jawaharlal University and Amity University,” Times of India quoted S K Jha, Deputy Director General, NCB as saying.

Acoording to sources of the department, the authorities were given intelligence reports about a parcel of banned substances dispatched to Jaipur via DTDC, following which they reached the Vijay Nagar DTDC office and confiscated the consignment containing 1.14 kg Charas and 3 strips of LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide). The source was traced and the students were subsequently arrested. However, the major actor behind the drug racket functioning from Himachal Pradesh, Neelchand, is still at large.

The authorities confirmed that the students will be prosecuted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

 

Feature Image Credits: ANI

Nikhil Kumar
[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
News

JNU Row: High Court Sets Aside Punishment Awarded by Varsity

By

The Delhi High Court on Thursday set aside the punishment against 15 students, including ex-Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, awarded by a committee constituted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Ex-JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar, along with 14 other students, had the disciplinary actions taken against them set aside by the Delhi High Court on Thursday. The students had been involved in organising an event commemorating the hanging of Kashmiri separatist Afzal Guru in February 2016, which allegedly saw separatist slogans being raised.

After the uproar over the sloganeering, a five-member committee was constituted by JNU to investigate the matter. Punishments in the form of expulsion from the hostel (Kanhaiya Kumar), rustication (Umar Khalid), and barring entry in the University for five years (Anirban) were awarded to some students. However, the High Court in its judgement that replied to the petition filed by the students against the committee’s orders said, “The writ petition is allowed to the extent that the Appellate Order dated August 22, 2016, is set aside and the matter is remanded back to the Appellate Authority with a direction to grant an opportunity of inspection to the petitioner”. A period of six weeks has been granted for the students to get a chance to present their side regarding the issue and get a view of the official records and basis of the committee’s judgement. After this the committee must declare another judgement, having heard the side of the students.

Although the students had condemned the slogans, sedition cases were filed against some. The Delhi Police is yet to file a charge sheet regarding the February 2016 incident.

 

Feature Image Credits: Zee News

Rishika Singh
[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
DUB News

Online Applications’ Deadline For JNU Extended

By

After the surprising move of shifting entrance examination for all courses including MPhil/ PhD courses for the year 2018-19 to December 2017 by the Jawahar Lal University (JNU), the deadline for online registration has been extended to October 17, 2017 until 5 30 p.m. This year, the entrance exam will take place from 27 December to 30 December.

The proposal to hold all future entrances in December was put forward at a meeting of the Academic Council (AC) in April 2015.The reasons given for such a shift were related to logistical issues. The move finally comes two years after the AC and Standing Committee approved the proposal. It was put to hold because of reasons accorded to feasibility. The prospectus for 2018-19 is already available on the website. The link for online admissions has been open from 15 Sept,207 and 13 October 2017 was the last date.

The JNU authorities have extended the deadline for filling the online applications for all the courses till Tuesday, 17 October 2017 up to 5:30 p.m. The University has also announced the timetable for the entrance examinations in various programmes of study which will be held from 27 December till 30 December 2017 in 53 centres across India and in Kathmandu (Nepal). For full details, applicants can visit the JNU website www.jnu.ac.in.

Feature Image Credits: JNU

 

Oorja Tapan

[email protected]

 

 

 

Keep Reading
By
Bazinga

Bazinga: With the JNU Entrance in December, DU Prepones Semester Exams to Mid-November

By

In yet another shock to the final year students, who are still recovering from the fact that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is holding its entrance exam in December this year, the University of Delhi (DU) has decided to prepone its semester exams, which were to be held in December to mid-November. This shuffling of dates comes in the wake of the JNU entrance scheduled to happen in December. Some sources in the examination department claim that this change occurred because DU doesn’t want its students to suffer, and wants them to prepare for the entrance without any stress. The revised date sheet has been uploaded on the website.

An official source confirmed that the decision for the change of dates was taken in the academic council meeting which took place on 21st September. One of the council members proposed the change on the grounds that many colleges have received requests for the same by students. This proposal was later supported by the majority of the council members and passed subsequently. Since JNU is one of the most prestigious universities, all major universities desire to send the highest number of students to it. “This is not just a matter of pride, but also confirms that the academic merit of your institution is at par with the best of this country”, said Prof. M.K Khanewala, who is the dean of academics in another major University, situated in the temple town of Varanasi.

Meanwhile, the decision has received a mixed response from the student community. While some are rejoicing on account of the fact that they can finish their exams early and study for JNU’s entrance in peace, others are not happy as now they have to study for the semester exams along with the preparations. Prachi Dedha, a final year student who was not happy with the decision, says, “Now, this change of date will make our teachers give us more assignments and will kill all the time we have got to prepare for the entrance.”

Even some of the other departments of the University, which play a major role in organising the semester exams, like the Finance Department and the Transport Department, are surprised because of this sudden change of dates. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one of the officials of the Finance Department said, “This decision has put all of us on our toes. The pace of our work was in accordance with the previous December date sheet. Now, all of us have to work day and night for the exams to take place in November.”

Although the surprising decision has received mixed responses, the real consequence of taking such a step can only be gauged after the results of the semester exams and the JNU entrance are declared.

 

Picture Credits: JNU website

Srivedant Kar

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
News

Instead of May 2018, JNU entrance to happen in December 2017

By

In a surprising move, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has decided to shift its entrance examination for all courses including MPhil/ PhD courses for the year 2018-19 to December 2017. Usually, JNU Entrance Examination (JNUEE) happens in May. However this year, the entrance exam will take place on 27 December to 30 December.

For the past two years, JNU was considering shifting its entrance exams for all courses to December from the usual May-June session. The proposal to hold all future entrances in December was put forward at a meeting of the Academic Council (AC) in April 2015, which was thereafter approved in a Standing Committee meeting on June 15, 2015. The reasons given for such a shift were related to logistical issues, where the AC pointed out that JNU doesn’t come as an option at the right time and normally when the JNU admission procedure begins, all other university admissions close. Also n the case of BA admissions, they felt it was better to hold the entrance before the Class XII pre-board exams in January. Although teachers unanimously supported the move in the AC meeting, the four JNU students’ union office bearers opposed it back then.

The move finally comes two years after the AC and Standing Committee approved the proposal. It was put to hold because of reasons accorded to feasibility. The Vice Chancellor said that the university was trying to fill all vacancies available with faculties in MPhil and PhD courses in December. A committee has been formed to find modalities to conduct the exam. The prospectus for 2018-19 has been uploaded on the website, as well as the link for online admissions, opened from 10:00 AM today and will stay open till 13 Oct 2017 at 11.59 p.m.

The University will hold examinations for admission to various programmes of study (MPhil/PhD, MPhil/PhD through JRF, PhD., PhD through JRF, MTech., MPH. , PGDE, MA., MSc., MCA., BA(Hons.) in Foreign languages and Part time courses, MSc (Biotechnology) and allied, MSc (Agri) (Biotechnology)/M.V.Sc., and MTech. Biotechnology programmes )from 27 Dec-30 Dec 2017 in 53 centres across India and in Kathmandu (Nepal).

For full details, applicants can visit the JNU website www.jnu.ac.in  or visit the admissions site.

Image Credits: JNU Website

Oorja Tapan

[email protected]

Keep Reading
By
DUB Speak

See no Evil, Speak no Evil: Is having a battle tank in JNU campus taking it one step too far?  

By

Jawahar Lal Nehru University’s (JNU) descent into what some would call the murky whirlpool of inglorious controversies, continues. In fact, it reached a new paradigm on Sunday, 23 July 2017, as the Vice Chancellor, M. Jagadesh Kumar, requested Union ministers General V.K. Singh and Dharmendra Pradhan to assist him in “procuring an army tank” to be positioned at a “prominent place” within the campus. Clearly, the first Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations to ever be held on the campus had by then deteriorated into an unfortunate display of jingoism. To add fuel to the fire, cricketer Gautam Gambhir, who was also one of the guests invited to the event, said: “Standing in JNU, it takes me back to when there was a lot of talk about freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is important, but there are certain things which are absolutely non-negotiable. One is the respect for the tricolour.” What should make your hair stand on its ends is that eerily enough, Gambhir’s remarks echo ex-President Pranab Mukherjee’s last speech, in which he reminds the citizens of the country to draw a line at some point while still exercising their right to freedom of speech. Incidentally, this is not the first time that the idea of a military tank has been proposed in the campus. It came once before too, right after the February 2016 incident when ‘anti-nationalistic’ slogans were allegedly raised. And there has never been a dearth of the overly vocal flag-bearers of xenophobia, ever since.

scroll-in-image

The event commenced with a well-intentioned Tiranga March. There could be sceptics who view this as a problematic notion. But there is, in theory, nothing wrong with it. It is meant to be an expression of one’s patriotism, which would be perfectly spontaneous under natural circumstances. Some of us, however, have been equipped with a university education in the armoury. This education teaches us the difference between ‘patriotism’ and ‘nationalism’. While one demands a genuine love for the country, the other beats its own trumpet in the name of language and culture. That education—knowing the ‘why’ and the ‘how’—is a major problem.

When an issue transcends the lives of one or two and begins to entangle one person too many into its folds, much like a spider quietly spinning a web, is it still justified to dismiss that issue as a mere controversy? Perhaps not, because what JNU symbolises at the moment is a fertile ground for seeds of all kinds of ideologies to be sown. Once sown, they will be forever embedded into impressionable, young minds. And whether you like it or not, as a university student in DU or JNU or any other campus, you do not really have the choice of non-alignment. That non-alignment is in itself an anomaly, a ‘misalignment’ if you will, should you choose to differ from the majority. You and I cannot remain apolitical. Whether you choose the Left, the Right or the Centre; be vociferous and active or secretive and mum; choose to go with the flow or against it—you have made a vital decision.

The point is should you be punished for making that choice? Whether or not a decommissioned military tank in the university campus manages to “instill nationalism,” it will have installed several disturbing questions in the minds of the students, as this event to goes down in the annals of history.

Image credits: Scroll.in

Deepannita Misra

[email protected]

 

Keep Reading
By