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PwD Candidates in a Predicament Over Quota Certification

By DU Beat June 16, 2019

The Delhi Government has allocated 27 government hospitals in 11 districts to issue disability certificates to the applicants under the new central Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act 2016, for 21 conditions.

Differently-abled candidates applying to the University of Delhi (DU) are in a dilemma as the Government of Delhi has notified the Varsity to accept disability certificates only from these 27 government hospitals.

This move could prove to be disadvantageous for many students as the certificates issued by other hospitals will not be considered for admissions under the PwD quota. Applicants are also discouraged because the procedure for availing these certificates may take a lot of time, and the students do not have that kind of liberty due to the fast closure of admissions.

According to the abovementioned Act, not less than 5% of seats in all institutions are to be reserved for PwD candidates. It also states that a relaxation of 5% is to be made for the candidates with respect to course-specific eligibility in the qualifying examination and the entrance test.

Akhilesh K Verma, who is in charge of DU’s Grievance Cell, stated that students have brought about this issue during open-day sessions, but his team has not received any formal written complaint against the same. “Without a written complaint, it won’t be possible to take any kind of action,” Verma said. “The department is following admission protocols.”

Verma further added that the students could submit provisional certificates that they have at hand, and proceed to make the authorized certificate from the respective hospitals.

Bipin Kumar Tiwari, Officer on Special Duty at the Equal Opportunity Cell, too, stated that many students did make inquiries about the decision of the Government. He said that it was not a new announcement and students had prior information about this change. “It should not be a problem for these students to get these certificates. Uniform certificates would make the procedures of admission smoother for the staff,” he added.

The procedure for acquiring the certificate is very simple. All that a candidate has to do is submit the needed disability documents to the selected hospitals and get them approved.

There is hope as the students can use the certificates they have at hand for now, but is important for them to get the certificates as soon as they can, to ensure smoother admissions.

Feature Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Stephen Mathew

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DUB News

The EWS effect

By Shaurya Thapa June 3, 2019

The EWS bill was welcomed both in parliament and by the public but without equipping institutions to deal with such a change, it may turn out to be more of a burden than a blessing.

The buzzword this admissions season is the freshly passed 124^th Constitutional Amendment bill (10% Quota Bill) which is set to be implemented for the first time in the academic year 2019-20. This bill provides for 25% of the total available seats to be reserved for candidates belonging to the economically weaker sections of society as defined by the bill. To lessen the burden of this significant change in numbers, University of Delhi is carrying it out in two phases. This session we will see a reservation of 10% of the seats for the EWS category and the other 15% will be implemented in the next academic session.

This bill has been designed in such a way that it does not carve these seats out of the available seats for the general candidates. The intake of general candidates will still remain the same so to accommodate the bill, the total intake of universities increase. For the university of Delhi, this means that the total increase in seats would be 16,000 but for the academic year 2019-20, we will see an increase in by 6400 seats.

In 2007, a similar legislation was passed creating the 27% reservation for students belonging to other backward categories (OBC). To accommodate this change, additional funds and new teaching positions were sanctioned. However, according to Professor Abha Habib of Miranda House, “The OBC expansion remains incomplete even after a decade as the promised expansion of teaching and non-teaching staff has remained incomplete. DU colleges are largely working with only half the additional posts promised under OBC expansion.”

In light of the above statement, it is evident that the pressures of the change is still being endured by the faculties of various colleges. Instead of completing the 2007 expansion, the faculty will now be additionally burdened as the current government has provided no guarantee that it will help universities by increasing funds or sanctioning additional teaching positions. Ms. Habib also went on to explain that under these circumstances, the decision to pass the EWS bill was rushed as the support required has not been provided.

To accommodate this change, the colleges will require a change in infrastructure to increase classroom sizes, residential facilities and create additional laboratories. Mr. Hansraj Suman, a former member of the University’s academic council mentioned while speaking to the Hindustan Times that 800 to 1000 more teachers will be required to meet the increase in number of students. In this scenario, with no funds being provided, colleges are left in a position to deal with the these problems themselves. This could lead to the creation and division of students into sections as classrooms are designed to accommodate only a fixed number of students. As a consequence of this, college hours would be extended and students could possibly face an increase in gaps between lectures which has been a problem expressed multiple times over the years.

Conversely, the creation of new sections would amplify the pre-existing shortage of teaching staff. However, if colleges choose not to make any such changes, it would result in skewed teacher student ratios and overcrowded classrooms and laboratories.

Featured Image Credits- Hindustan Times

Pragati Thapa

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DUB News

EWS Quota: Ph.D. and MPhil Students to Receive the Benefit

By Shaurya Thapa May 28, 2019

The University of Delhi has decided to increase the total number of seats in order to implement the 10% Economically Weaker Sections (quota). The increase in seats will be implemented in two phases- 10% in 2019 and 15% in 2020.

After approval of the provision of reservations for economically weaker section students (EWS) in Central Education Institution, the Delhi University decided to increase the total seats by 25% in two phases- 10% in 2019 and 15% in 2020. The provision for reservations for economically weaker sections has been provided for in the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which provides for the advancement of the “economically weaker sections” of the society.

Earlier, 15% of seats were reserved for SCs, 7.5% for STs, 27% for OBCs, 5% for PWD, 5% for CW category, 5% for Foreign Nationals and 5% for Sports/ECA people.
The increase in seats is to be implemented in order to ensure that the students of the general category are not at a disadvantage because of the increase in total percentage of reserved seats. The seats for MPhil and PhD section of Mathematics, Science, Commerce and Social Science will increase with the enforcement of 10% quota. The seats are likely to be increased by 148 for the reserved categories.

Professor Hansraj Suman, Chairman of Delhi University SC/ST/ OBC said, “Currently 660 seats are sanctioned under MPhil programme, in which 467 aspirants were admitted while 237 seats remained vacant in the previous academic session. In allotted 467 seats, seats allotted for the general candidate- 246, OBC-116, SC-69, ST-36, and PWD – 16 got admission in the previous year. With the enforcement of EWS, seats secured to the general candidates are 338, OBC 182 and SC 101, ST 51, EWS 68 seats.

For the same, the PhD has 800 seats in total in which 500 seats are sanctioned for general candidates, OBC 156, SC 110, ST 34, and PwD 15, whereas with the enforcement of EWS quota, 400 seats are for general candidates, OBC 216, SC 120, ST 60, EWS 80,” as quoted in Millenium Post.

Professor Suman added that the Dean has also informed him that due to the increase of 10 percent EWS seats, a teacher can also appoint researcher as their subordinate research director under the UGC rules. And as per the rules, 8 PhDs and 3 MPhil students can do their research work with a professor, while with associate professor 6 PhDs and 2 MPhil students can do their research work and with an assistant professor, 4 Ph.D. and 1 MPhil.

Abha Dev Habib, a DUTA member told DU Beat, “The last time when there was an increase in number of seats because of a resolution for 27% reservation for OBC students, the University was provided with funds to improve the infrastructure of colleges and to recruit more teachers but the process is still incomplete as formal letters were not issued and the required number of posts were not released. Now, for 10% EWS quota, 25% of total seats are to be increased but no provision for improvement in infrastructure has been provided. This will lead to overcrowded classrooms and in order to impart quality education it is necessary to maintain the required student-teacher ratio.”
She further added, “Around 60-70 percent of the students will be from the reserved categories which make it necessary to give more focus on improving the quality of education and equipping the labs with proper equipment in order to make the degree meaningful for them.”
However, many other changes have also been suggested by the admission committee in order to make the admission procedure simpler and more efficient, which includes developing a mechanism to avoid duplication of registration data. The University has decided to share filled up dummy forms release tutorial videos on its official website to guide students on how to fill the forms. The committee has also decided to finish the admission procedure before the session commences. However, there have been constant delays in releasing of admission forms and it is now confirmed by the Dean of Students Welfare, DU that the forms will be out in the beginning of June.
On the issue of delay in commencement of the admission procedure, Abha Dev Habib said that the delay is because of the new changes that are being made in the process. She went on to add that the introduction of new changes every year is very unsettling and the University should try to get done with the process soon as usually, the admissions go on till September which makes it difficult for the students to put up with the semester system.

On Monday, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidya Parishad (ABVP) submitted a letter to the varsity administration in order to inquire about the delay in the beginning of the admission process. They also urged them to initiate the process quickly and remarked that the delay is worrisome for the students.

Featured Image Credits- The Indian Express
Priya Chauhan
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DUB News

Increased Seats for Economically Weaker Sections

By Anushree Joshi February 9, 2019

The DU administration rules on implementing and increasing the economically weaker section (EWS) quota by 25%, leading to 6550 more seats across all colleges.

The Delhi University has decided to increase the total number of seats available to students from EWS background by 25%. This increment will be seen taking place in two steps- first, seeing a 10% increase, i.e. 2620 seats and the other, 15% i.e. 3930 seats. This plan shall see that the new academic year will see 6550 more seats for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Another agenda that was brought up during the meeting of the admission committee was that of developing a mechanism to avoid duplication of registration data, and to finish admission procedure before the academic session starts. This would mark a serious change as the admission process goes on a long while after the teaching already starts, and this could suggest that the admission for DU courses might begin earlier than before.

There will be a centralised admission process under the ‘children/widow of armed forces’ category, as last year DU had increased the sub-divisions within this category, causing problems and technical errors in finalising the admissions quickly.

The committee has also decided that in order to make the admission process simpler they will upload a tutorial video on the official website that will help the students by showing them how to fill the form and perform other functions. There will also be dummy forms filled on the website to show the students the proper way of doing the same. The chairman of the committee, Rajeev Gupta, said in a press release- “Usually applicants apply through cyber cafes. This often creates a problem for them as multiple mistakes happen, which often don’t get rectified.”

However, the ideas aren’t off to a great start as the university administration missed the 31^st January deadline for providing the details on how the seats will be added, the money that will be required, and other such details for the phase one i.e. the 10% increase. The admission committee members were not available for a comment on the same.

Image Credits: Tribhuvan Tiwari for DU Beat

Haris khan

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Admissions 2017

The Great College Debate: ECA & Sports Quota Vs. General Admission

By Radhika Boruah July 2, 2017

All the colleges under the University of Delhi have at least 5% seats reserved for students who wish to take admission through the extracurricular activities (ECA) and sports quota. The ECA quota in DU includes eleven categories of activities: dance, vocal, instrumental, theatre, creative writing, debating, fine arts, digital media, quiz, NCC, and NSS. The applicants are judged by an ECA admission committee constituting at least two experts. Under the DU sports quota, candidates can secure admission at Delhi University colleges in two ways – direct admission without sports trials or admission with sports trials. All candidates who have represented India in any international sports competitions like the Olympic Games, World Cup, etc. are eligible to secure admission at DU without undergoing the sports trials. The benefit of the ECA and sports quota is that it aids you with gauging chances of getting enrolled in top colleges even if you have a percentage lower than the cut-off. If you are passionate about any ECA field or sports, it is guaranteed that it will be nurtured at the college level after you join the respective societies. There is direct entry into the society, without any auditions, if you get through the respective ECA quota.

On the downside though, students have to miss their classes and go for long practices during inter-college fests and sports meets. While attendance for the missed classes is provided by the college for the quota students, important work is missed out on, which may impact the understanding of the subject.

For general admissions, students have to follow the cut-off lists and take admissions wherever their percentage equals the cut-off percentage. This goes on from the first to the last cut-off list and students withdraw from one college to another, or swap courses. The general admission requires higher percentage vis à vis ECA and sports quota as there is no rebate on the marks obtained. Getting admission through the general category gives one the option to choose any society or team or to even not get involved in co-curriculars, whereas getting admission through ECA or sports requires determination and dedication towards the chosen field. Each side has its pros and cons but both admission processes require substantial patience.

Feature Image Credits: Alex Arthur for DU Beat

Radhika Boruah
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Admissions 2015

Admission guidelines for Kashmiri Migrants and Armed Forces quota

By Sidharth Yadav May 31, 2015

Every year hundreds of students enrol in various colleges through the Defence and Kashmiri Migrant categories, the process for which is a lot different from the usual procedure for admission to the University. Here are the important guidelines and dates to keep in mind while enrolling through these quotas this year:

1. Defence category

Children/widows of the officers and men of the armed forces including paramilitary forces killed/disabled in action or those who died/were disabled on duty, gallantry awardees are eligible for admissions to the University which reserves 5% of the seats in each course for the same.

Application forms will be obtainable from Academic Branch- 1, Room no 218, New Administrative Block, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110007 from 5th June 2015 to 15th June 2015 between 10 AM to 1 PM (Excepts Sundays). After attaching the relevant documents, the form is to be submitted at the same address. On 30th June 2015 (1PM) notification of the admission list will be put at the notice board of the New Administrative Block and the university website. Selected candidates will be issued provisional admission slips from 30th June to 2nd July after which they have to go to the concerned colleges for final admissions.

2. Kashmiri migrants category

The Academic Branch- 1, Room no 218, New Administrative Block, University of Delhi, Delhi – 110007 would register the wards of Kashmiri migrants from 5th June 2015 to 15th June 2015 between 10.00 AM to 1.00 PM (Excepts Sundays).The Joint Registrar (Academic) will release a list of candidates for admission in various colleges on 13th July 2015 after 9 AM. Admissions will start with the release of the list and will end by 16th July.

A concession of maximum 10% in the last cut- off list for the general category candidates shall be extended to the candidates for admissions to various courses (Reservation not applicable for courses requiring entrance test). Candidates will have to fulfil the minimum eligible criteria prescribed by the university. Candidates can refer to the Bulletin of Information (Undergraduate Courses) for the year 2015-2016 for the same.

Featured image credits: Surbhi Bhatia
Sidharth Yadav

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News

Delhi Students Meet Dr. Harshwardhan to demand quota in Delhi University

By Arushi Srivastava June 11, 2014

On Tuesday, a delegation of students raising their demand to get quota for Delhiites in Delhi University met the Union Minister of Health- Dr. Harshwardhan to address the issue. Dr. Harshwarshan had reportedly assured the students to take up the matter with Mrs. Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Human Resource Development.

The argument for reservation of Delhi students in Delhi University traces its roots back to when AAP and BJP promised state wise quota in their manifestos for elections of Delhi Legislative Assembly. The students of Delhi are demanding 85% quota since every other state university provides for students of their state.

“I strongly believe that it is the need of the hour. Delhi students are forced to migrate to other universities due to rising cut offs. Other universities do have state quotas so why not in DU where there are many 100% state funded colleges”, said Vijay Kapoor, a resident of Delhi and a student of Economics Honours in Delhi University, in support of the quota. However, not all students favour this proposition. “A child’s future should not be decided on the basis of the state he belongs to but on his credentials. Since there is a similar level exam by CBSE then there is no need of partiality to students of the native state. It is quite irrelevant as it is not uplifting the deprived section of the society but giving priority to a population on the basis of region in which they live which is unfair”, said Rahul Anand, a B. com Hons student in DU from Kota.

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Juxtapose

Are Reservations in College Justified?

By DU Beat August 13, 2012

Graphic Credits :- Sahil Jain

Every passing year, securing admission in good colleges is getting tougher and tougher. Not for everyone though. If you happen to belong to any of the numerous communities deemed to be underprivileged (SC, OBC etc), all the skill that you’ll require is that of correctly filing a form.

The reservation system has received fervent criticism from all corners but can a country which has historically discriminated against certain minority groups afford not to provide them with opportunities for bettering their status? Or is it that reservations are the wrong way to go about uplifting minorities.

This week, Juxtapose sets the jury out on whether the reservation system is good for the country as a whole. So what are you waiting for? Scroll down and voice your opinions.

Juxtapose: Are reservations in colleges justified?
Show of Hands:
Justified: 2
Not Justified: 8
The Arguments:

1. Thangchungnung Mangte, Not Justified
I do have a great respect for the founding fathers of our constitution and their empathy towards the underprivileged sections of our society who were discriminated and exploited for hundreds of years. However, if we want to help those people to be able to grow and improve their condition, the very basis of granting reservation should be on the basis of a person’s economic condition. Giving reservation to a caste, tribe etc. will only help those, who are already doing well. A poor dalit or a tribal hardly gets to use the benefit of reservation granted to his/her tribe or caste and instead it is used more by the sons & daughters of, let’s say for example, an IAS officer.

2. Vikas Jaipuria, Not Justified
The ideal situation should have been: Merit alone triumphs! Having sat on a hunger strike when I was in class 8 in AIIMS when this debate broke out in 2006, I have seen the agitation from close quarters. This is a paralytic policy decision, which is far from the principles of equality espoused by our constitution. Sure the weaker sections and minority should be uplifted, but providing reservation in higher education is not the correct means. The government should have created better infrastructure in primary/higher secondary schools in small towns/backward areas. It should have extended the benefit of its social schemes by bringing more OBC’s/SC’S/ST’s under its net. The true effects of this paralytic decision is more evident in DU – OBC’s/SC’s/ST’s from well of families are sitting in top colleges with less than qualifying marks, while hard working students of General category who slogged their ass in class XII are precluded admission (even if they fall short of cutoff by a small whisker!). And we all know in a country like ours where bribing public officials is a cakewalk, no wonder you can get yourself made a fake SC/ST/OBC certificate.

3. Ankita Mukhopadhyay (LSR), Justified
When Dr. B.R Ambedkar formulated the Constitution, little did he foresee the uproar that his policy of reservation for minorities would create once education and literacy became a prime concern for most households in India. I think reservation for minorities is justified, provided there is an income bracket to justify their need for reservation. Reservation has come into the limelight today because of the UPA government’s policy to give preference to the minorities in order to garner more votes. The issue of reservation shouldn’t be a politically contentious issue; it should be more of a moral issue.
People belonging to the Scheduled castes and tribes are still discriminated against today in the villages, and even if a person belonging to the SC/ST or OBC category manages to break the mould and succeed in the corporate segment or any other sector, he/she is always looked down upon by the general candidates as an academically weaker peer. I agree that there are many general category candidates out there who lose out on a seat because of reservation, and economically backward general candidates face a bleak future due to no government support for them, but we should also look into the historical origins of this caste problem. The government should change its policy, and instead of demarcating lower cut offs or marks for SC/ST and OBC candidates, they should evaluate them on an equal level, barring only the fact that they have a quota for themselves. One should look for a solution to the problem, not ponder over it needlessly. We should learn from our forefathers and not continue repeating the mistakes that they committed hundreds of years back.

4. Riddhi Dayal (Sri Venkatswara College), Justified
I think reservation was a justifiable means to be used in the scenario of the caste-system in India, and many people have actually benefited from the same. Therefore, to completely write-off reservation is unjustified. Many students had a problem with the fact that General Category seats would be reduced in number due to reservation, however, that was taken care of by the court order that stated that the total number of seats would be increased to incorporate reserved seats while keeping General category seats constant. Thus, I don’t think its really a big deal.
However, I’d like to clarify that I don’t believe reservation should be continued indefinitely. As with all policies, it should be in practice till one reaches the stage of emancipation of the downtrodden and then be discontinued.
The Verdict: Reservations are neither justified nor beneficial.

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