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Jesus and Mary College Discontinues NCWEB Teaching Centre; Current Students Shifted to Deshbandhu College Centre

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Jesus and Mary College has announced the discontinuation of their NCWEB teaching centre from the academic session 2025–2026. The current students and new admissions are being shifted to Deshbandhu College, leading to disapproval among students regarding the sudden change.

On the morning of 11th July, NCWEB students of Jesus and Mary College were sent a notice via the official WhatsApp group, informing them about the discontinuation of the NCWEB centre from the academic session 2025–2026 onwards. New admissions and current students are now being shifted to Deshbandhu College instead. The news of the discontinuation has been met with displeasure and confusion by both students and parents, which has only been further fuelled by the silence of Jesus and Mary’s faculty. Upon enquiring with the president of the Jesus and Mary College NCWEB student body, Vidhi Choudhary, several problems regarding the change came to light.

According to Vidhi, who represents the concerns of many students, the decision has been taken with no prior notice or consultation. Students who were supposed to continue their fourth year from JMC as their centre, now feel stuck. With the CUET already behind them, and the new admissions who chose JMC according to their preference feel betrayed. Parents are also unhappy with the shift to a co-ed college. Deshbandhu is far from the residences of many students, affecting the sense of security and comfort that once came with JMC.

Vidhi further explained,

 Our principal is not responding to any of our concerns; the faculty is silent too. I have been bombarded with calls from parents worried about the co-ed shift. I fear that if this change occurs, it will lead to a significant number of students dropping out. Our college, which we chose based on merit and preference—considering safety, family, and future—has suddenly been turned upside down. Our graduation degree will now be under Deshbandhu College, where we will only attend for one year. How is any of this fair? If JMC was not equipped to handle NCWEB, then why not shift us to another all-women’s college? All we ask for is consultation and consideration.”

An official meeting between the president of NCWEB and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, Yogesh Singh, has been arranged in the coming week, as suggested by both JMC and Deshbandhu’s faculty upon requests for resolution.

 

Read Also :  DU Fee Hike Exceeds 20% Violating the Annual Fee Hike Policy of 10%

 

Featured image source :  The Indian Express

 

Umang

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The Supreme Court Directs Ex-DU Professor Hany Babu to Approach Requisite Courts for Bail Plea

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The Supreme Court directed Hany Babu to seek bail through the requisite High Court and Trial Court, clarifying his withdrawn plea doesn’t bar relief, as he remains jailed under UAPA in the Bhima Koregaon case. 

The Supreme Court in its hearing on 16th July and its bench of Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice PB Varale directed former DU professor Mr. Hany Babu to approach either Bombay High Court or Trial Court or renew the withdrawn Special Leave Petition to receive bail in the Shaniwarwada Elgar Parishad case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). 

The bench led by Justice Aniruddha Bose further clarified that his withdrawal of the Special Leave Petition last year did not prevent the High Court from hearing his bail plea. This is amidst the Bombay High Court observation on May 2nd, where Babu was asked to seek a clarification with the top court on the same. 

Professor Hany Babu was arrested on 28th July 2020 and still remains an under trial for his alleged affiliation with the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) and involvement in ‘inciting violence,’ which was the aftermath of the Elgar Parishad—an event organised by activists for the rights of the marginalised communities and celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima Koregaon, which is considered a pioneer event for the Dalit Community.

On comments regarding the situation, Dr. Jenny Rowena P, Assistant Professor at Miranda House and partner of Hany Babu stated that, 

It is tragic that we are living in a country where a professor in a university, that too from a marginalised background (OBC Muslim), can be put away in prison for 5 long years without even the beginning of a trial through the use of corrupt laws like UAPA. I feel like laughing when people deliberate on the legality of this case when the very existence of UAPA should be declared illegal.”

Hany Babu is a part of BK-16, a term given to a group of 16 lawyers, professors, scholars, etc., who were imprisoned without trial under the various offences of the UAPA act in relation to the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case. The series of arrests had taken place since 2018. 

The Bombay High Court has so far granted bail to Rona Wilson and activists Sudhir Dhawale and Sudha Bharadwaj, while the Supreme Court has granted bail to P. Varavara Rao on medical grounds and Shoma Sen, Vernon Gonsalves, and Arun Ferreira on merit.

 

Read Also In Solidarity with Professor Hany Babu: Knowledge Deemed Crime

 

Image Credits- Maktoob Media

Divyanshi Dusad  

divyanshidusad@gmail.com

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bsCEM Student Activist Gurkirat Detained by Delhi Police on 16th July: Released Later Same Day

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Student activist Gurkirat was detained by Special Cell, Delhi Police on July 16, 2025 and released a few hours later, at 10 pm. Her custody and several other missing comrades have raised serious concerns regarding the status of student dissent in India.

Comrade Gurkirat, a Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (bsCEM) student activist, was detained on July 16 2025, and kept in custody by Delhi Police at New Friends Colony Police Station. She was allegedly picked up by the Special Cell, without an official reason being given.

Gurkirat is a vocal member of bsCEM, a left-wing student organization that has been involved in political demonstrations on campuses throughout Delhi. She has previously spoken out against state oppression, caste violence, and students’ rights through social media.

The initial word of Gurkirat’s detention arrived via an Instagram reel on the official bsCEM Instagram account:

Comrade Gurkirat has been taken by a special branch of Delhi police and has been kept in The New Friends Colony police station, Delhi. Comrades Gaurav and Gauraang have also been missing for a while now. We request all progressive, democratic minded individuals to come to the police station and demand Comrade Gurkirat’s immediate and unconditional release.”

A few hours later, another story on their Instagram account said that  Comrade Gurkirat was released by Delhi Police.

On July 17, bsCEM released a statement via Instagram claiming that several other activists are also missing and likely in illegal custody of the Delhi Police. The missing individuals include:

  1. Etmam Ul Haque (FACAM) Member
  2. Baadal (FACAM) Member
  3. Gauraang (bsCEM)
  4. Gaurav (bsCEM)
  5. Vallika Varshi (Nazariya Magazine)
  6. Samrat Singh (Social Activist and Psychologist)

The reel said: 

We came to know that other student Activists associated with bsCEM and FACAM members are also missing for the last one week. After knowing that comrade Samrat Singh and Gurkirat Kaur were picked up by Delhi police, now we are sure all activists are illegally arrested by Delhi police.”

News about Comrade Gaurav and Gauraang being released from the special branch police station at 7 PM and 10PM on 17th July has been shared by bsCEM.

This isn’t just about one student or one day. Over the years, student dissent in India has been increasingly treated with suspicion and hostility, no matter which government is in power. It’s part of a longer pattern where student dissent has often been met with police action. In recent years, students across India — from Jamia Millia Islamia to Jawaharlal Nehru University — have faced detentions, FIRs, and even violent crackdowns for protesting against government policies. These incidents highlight a worrying trend—where peaceful student-led actions, particularly those critical of state policies, are met with increasing surveillance, questioning, or detentions by law enforcement.


Read Also: From the Dissent Stifling Toolkit

 

Featured Image Credits: Maktoob Media

 

Juhi Bansal

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Campus Central

The Dawn of Off-Campus Colleges

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Off-Campus colleges of Delhi University might see a new break of reform as the University plans to increase seat allocations by up to 100% in courses where the seats remain largely vacant.

The DU ecosystem has been a welcoming atmosphere for students all over India aiming for the top-ranking colleges under Delhi University. With the introduction of preference lists and NRIF rankings, the process of making informed decisions based on the course structure, the infrastructure, and peer groups has become easier for students. Broadly, students aim for the top-ranking colleges, like Miranda, SRCC, St. Stephen’s, and Hindu, to expose themselves to the best of DU culture, even if it means giving up the course of their choice.

According to The Pioneer, DU has submitted its data for the 2024-2025 admission cycle. Among all colleges, SRCC has received the highest number of first preferences at 38,795, followed by Hindu College (31,901), Hansraj College (15,902), St. Stephen’s College (12,413), and Miranda House (11,403). These numbers clearly state the persistent bias of students towards North Campus and other top-tier colleges, which often comes at the expense of off-campus colleges.

Primarily, the reason underscoring this bias is the lack of infrastructure and the location of these off-campus colleges on the outskirts of Delhi, such as Aditi Mahavidyalaya. The lack of visibility of these colleges as a part of the core DU culture has significantly downgraded these colleges to the least-preferred institutions. Students have been reported saying that they would rather take admission in a private university than be a part of the excluded DU campus, thus making a significant point on how the North Campus has been a dominating place for the students to make the best of their college life, professionally and personally.

Hence, to bridge this gap, Delhi University has employed a new strategy this year. According to Professor Haneet Gandhi, Dean of Admissions, the university will implement 100% allocation to fill seats in the off-campus colleges. The same strategy will be followed in North Campus colleges, where additional allocation will be made only in the language course where the seats remain largely vacant. Specifically, an additional allocation of 80% will be made for the Unreserved (UR) category and 100% for SC/ST and OBC categories. However, the criteria will be different for mid-range colleges, where it will be 20% for the UR category and 30% for SC/ST/OBC categories.

This reform seems to leave no choice for students but to accept the seat provided to them in the consecutive rounds of CUET admission. Hence, these students either migrate in the second year or simply give up a DU degree, which is what usually happens. More than that, it is also a hint to market these colleges in the best possible light so that they get the visibility and the required attention from authorities to improve the infrastructure and the potential upgrade of these colleges in terms of societies and atmosphere, which has been the biggest reason for the fall of these colleges in being a part of the DU circle.

The reform, however, fails to address the core problems faced by the institutions, which are the development of robust infrastructure, a dedicated faculty and a severe paucity of funds. This superficial fix, thus, does not seem to be a comprehensive, long-term solution to the problem.

Read Also: CUET and the Gender Equation: Why Fewer Women are Entering Delhi University

Image Credits: facultyadda

Kinjal Sharma
kinjal8111sharma@gmail.com

 

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Admission Season

CUET and the Gender Equation: Why Fewer Women are Entering Delhi University

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Female students getting admission in colleges of Delhi University

A closer look at the decline in women’s admissions to Delhi University after CUET raises concerns over equity and accessibility.

Since the introduction of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2022, Delhi University, once a bastion of growing female undergraduate participation, has seen a steady decline in the number of women securing admission. A trend that had once tilted heavily in favour of women has now begun to falter, raising serious questions about equity, access, and the unintended consequences of a uniform entrance system.

Between 2019 and 2021, DU witnessed a strong and consistent female presence in its undergraduate admissions. In 2019, women comprised 60.16% of total admitted students; in 2020, the figure stood at 57.82%; and in 2021, it peaked at 61.44% — the highest in recent years. These gains were made under the previous system that relied heavily on board exam performance for admissions.

The landscape shifted dramatically in 2022 with CUET’s implementation. That year, the percentage of women admitted dropped to 50.97%, accompanied by a sharp decline in absolute numbers: from 54,818 in 2021 to just 34,120 in 2022. Though there was a slight recovery in 2023 and 2024 with 36,039 and 38,096 women admitted, respectively, the female share of admissions continues to hover around 54%, notably lower than the pre-CUET average.

This drop is not merely statistical; it reflects a deeper structural issue. Faculty members and educationists report that the CUET format has posed multiple challenges for female aspirants, particularly those from marginalised and rural backgrounds. One key concern is the digital divide. CUET is conducted as a computer-based test, and many students, especially girls in semi-urban or rural areas, lack access to adequate devices, internet connectivity, or test preparation platforms. Unlike the earlier system, which rewarded sustained school performance, CUET leans heavily on performance in a single national-level examination, often necessitating expensive coaching.

Moreover, DU officials believe that logistical constraints, such as the unavailability of safe and affordable hostels and increased travel costs, are deterring women from applying to or pursuing degrees at DU, especially when similar options exist closer to home. Several faculty members have pointed out that while boys may be encouraged to move across states for college, girls are often expected to stay local, unless DU offers strong institutional support.

This gender shift has wider implications for the university. With DU reportedly losing ₹21 crore over three years due to vacant undergraduate seats, the drop in female admissions is not just a social concern but a fiscal one too. The university has had to conduct multiple mop-up rounds to fill vacancies, delaying semester schedules and diminishing academic momentum.

As DU adapts to the CUET regime, the challenge ahead lies in ensuring that standardisation does not come at the cost of inclusion. Policymakers must ask—Is a uniform test truly equitable when the ground on which students stand is anything but level?

Read Also: The Illusion of Equality: The Hidden Gender Imbalance in DU’s Equal Paradigm 

Featured Image Credits: Hindustan Times 

Madhav Chaudhary 

madhavchaudhary1209@gmail.com

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Campus Central

Former Delhi University Professor Meenakshi Jain Nominated to Rajya Sabha by the President

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Padma Shri historian Dr. Meenakshi Jain, former professor at Gargi College, nominated to Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu, for a six-year term starting July 21, 2025.


Dr. Meenakshi Jain, Former Professor of Gargi College, University of Delhi, is among the four individuals nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President Droupadi Murmu on 12th of July. She was serving as an associate professor at the Department of History, Gargi College

Her writings as a historian include, among many others, Ram and Ayodhya, The Battle of Rama, Medieval India, Sati-Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, the Changing Colonial Discourse, her most recent book, Vishvanath Rises and Rises in 2024, and the NCERT history textbook. Her work highlights alternating perspectives regarding medieval history, Indian culture and historiography coming from British times. She was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2020, the fourth highest civilian award in the field of literature and education.

“At a time when the nation is reclaiming its cultural confidence at the global stage, her presence in Parliament will ensure that policy debates are more informed’’, said Himanshu Kumar, a third year student at Hindu College recalling when she came to his annual department event. 

In response to a question about her future role in public life beyond the university as a Member of the Rajya Sabha, she stated,

I have not yet even joined so I think it inappropriate to comment on anything this soon.”

The other individuals nominated are public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Indian politician C. Sadanandan Master, and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. She will assume office from 21st of July, 2025 along with other members. Her tenure will  continue till July, 2031. From teaching college students to now serving the public, she has made a significant mark on history. 

Read Also: Delhi High Court Condemns Delhi University Over Treatment of Ad-Hoc Faculty; Orders Regularisation for 2 Professors

Featured Image Source: News18


Arya Chaudhary
aryachaudhary6652@gmail.com

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Campus Central

Delhi High Court Condemns Delhi University Over Treatment of Ad-Hoc Faculty; Orders Regularisation for 2 Professors

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In a recent order, the Delhi High Court bashed Delhi University’s appointment of ad-hoc faculty to substitute regular employment of professors, while ordering regularisation for 2 ad-hoc professors. 

In the past decade, the number of ad-hoc faculty appointments by Delhi University has skyrocketed, and along with that their treatment of such faculty has deteriorated significantly. On 11th July, the Delhi High Court in response to an appeal by two of Delhi University’s ad-hoc faculty, severely questioned the University for “consciously using ad-hoc appointments as a substitute for regular employment”. 

The ad-hoc professors from the Department of Germanic and Romance Studies, namely Namita Khare and Mehak Talwar, petitioned in 2022 against the University’s revised guidelines for the recruitment and shortlisting of Asst. Professors that covertly excluded long-serving ad-hoc teachers, despite them qualifying the eligibility norms under the UGC guidelines. 

Questioning Delhi University’s failure to recruit regular faculty while extending the petitioner’s tenure, the High Court bench of judges, Justice C.H, Shankar and Ajay Digpaul stated, 

The petitioners were not engaged for a finite project or stop-gap arrangement, but entrusted with core instructional and administrative responsibilities within a permanent academic framework.”

On a typical basis, Delhi University hires ad-hoc professors on quarterly contracts which are renewed with “breaks” to avoid legal obligations. However, under this system, many teachers have taught full-time for over decades without consideration for a permanent position, despite having performed the same duties as a regular employed faculty. Commenting on the same, the bench further observed, 

“The petitioners’ continued exclusion from the zone of regularisation, despite fulfilling all eligibility conditions and having rendered long and meritorious service, is violative of Articles 14 and 16 and cannot be sustained.”

As of 2022, Delhi University has over 4200 ad-hoc appointments that makes up for 40% of its total faculty strength and in the past 2 years over 2000 ad-hoc teachers have been allegedly displaced. In an interview with the Indian Express, an ad-hoc professor at Ramjas stated that he had seen no progress in career, increments or medical benefits under DU’s system of ad-hoc appointments. Regularisation for such appointments, is thus, the need of the hour to ensure equitable treatment and fair service. 

A press release by the Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), Delhi University welcomed the regularisation order – 

The High Court order for regularization should be used to bring much awaited relief to serving adhoc teachers and those displaced.”

Rajib Ray, the President of DTF, recommended the regularisation of the remaining ad-hoc faculty as well as previously displaced teachers whose entire service should be counted towards all stages of promotion and retirement benefits. 

The High Court’s judgment, reflects the Supreme Court’s 2024 Jaggo Judgment, which recognised the need for regularisation measures for ad-hoc appointees who have performed indispensable services for a prolonged and uninterrupted period. 

DUTA Executive Member, Prof. Rudrashish Chakraborty further stated, 

“The DU administration is guilty of exploiting the adhoc teachers during the best years of their life and then throwing them out through selection committees. This humane judgement will force the University administration to ensure the regularisation of the ad-hoc teachers in the rest of the colleges wherever interviews will be held and also to absorb those teachers who were displaced.” 

Given the current state of ad-hoc teachers at Delhi University with lack of increments, promotions or medical benefits, the HC judgement is expected to bring relief and hope for the improvement of working conditions and their shortlisting for permanent positions. Recently, the DU Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh has agreed to send an official representative to the University Grants Commission (UGC) as the ad-hoc faculty demands recognition of past service and provision of promotion and retirement benefits. 

Read also: DU sends UGC rep as teachers demand recognition of past service

Image Source: DNA India

Aaratrika Ghosh

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Missing DU Student Sneha Debnath Found Under Geeta Colony Flyover in Alleged Suicide Attempt

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New details have emerged about the case of the missing 19 year old student from Delhi University; investigation remains ongoing following the discovery of the student’s body.

Almost a week after a 19-year-old student, Sneha Debnath from Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, University of Delhi went missing, her body has been recovered following a 72-hour search by the Delhi Police under the Geeta Colony flyover in the Yamuna river on Sunday.

Debnath, originally from Sabroom in Tripura, had moved away from her family to Delhi in order to pursue higher education. She had resided in Paryavaran Complex, South Delhi, as of late and the discovery of a suicide note by her family in her college hostel points towards an alleged suicide attempt by the student. 

Sneha’s family and hostel authorities discovered a handwritten note in her room on July 13th, which seemed to indicate suicidal intent. The note, which is now under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Police for further investigation, read-

I just feel like a failure and burden, and it was getting unbearable to live like this. There is no foul play. It was my decision.” 

Eyewitness testimonies remained hazy, and Debnath’s body was eventually discovered under the Geeta Colony flyover in the Yamuna river and identified by the authorities.

The case had emerged on July 7, when Sneha had told her mother that she was going to meet a friend (Pitunia) at Sarai Rohilla Railway Station at 6:45 am to bid her goodbye for a train. Her family attempted to contact her two hours later, at 8:45 a.m., but all in vain, as her phone appeared to be switched off.

Pitunia admitted to not having met with Sneha earlier in the morning, and that Sneha had instead taken a cab to Signature Bridge, a known suicide spot where no CCTV cameras are functional – an issue that was brought up by her father in the past week, given that it hindered the search for his daughter.

 

“It is unacceptable that no CCTV cameras are working in a high-risk area like Signature Bridge. My sister was missing, and we have no leads because the only concrete form of evidence, video footage, is not available… We demand accountability from the Delhi Police and government, and immediate steps to fix this negligent failure.”
– Debnath’s family 


The cab driver in question confirmed dropping her near the bridge, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined forces with the Delhi Police to conduct an extensive search across a 7-kilometre radius from Noida to Nigam Bodh Ghat. 

Sneha’s family, including her ailing father, a retired Army Subedar Major undergoing dialysis, had earlier expressed anguish over the delayed FIR, filed more than 48 hours after she was reported missing. He had taken to making emotional appeals on social media through posts that were popularised largely by students of Delhi University, eventually drawing the attention of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who instructed state police to coordinate with Delhi authorities and assist in the search. The Tripura CMO had earlier posted online:

I express my grief over her death, and my sympathy is with the bereaved family. I ask the authority of Tripura Bhavan, New Delhi, to render all possible help to the family.”

Image Credits: ANI

Aastha Singh

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Delhi University’s 1900 crore Infrastructural Push: Solar Installations, Surveillance System and New Co-Ed College

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Key proposals for Delhi University’s biggest infrastructural development are currently underway with over 1900 crores dedicated to projects that include a new co-ed college, installation of solar plants and a university-wide surveillance machinery.

 

Delhi University is currently moving towards one of its biggest infrastructural pushes in many years, with an allocation of over 1900 crores for projects that are approved or already in process. The major developments are noted to be the creation of a new college at Fatehpur Behri, an IP-based system of surveillance and the installation of solar-powered panels. 

According to the Times of India, these proposals have already been cleared by the finance and building committee. However, they are yet to be finally approved by the executive council, which has slated a meeting on 12th July. 

In June, Delhi University Vice Chancellor, Yogesh Singh confirmed the creation of a new college in Fatehpur Behri with modern 21st-century courses. Delineating the University’s plans, he stated, 

We intend to open a college there by next year. Gram Panchayat has already allotted us the land. However, the college may not be exclusively for girls.

 

According to reports, 272 crores have been allocated as funding for the new college that is yet to be named. Further elaborating on the educational initiatives under the University, Singh added that a project titled, Veer Savarkar College is currently underway with an estimated timeline of 2026. 

Additionally, a 9.2 crore funding for an Internet Protocol-based surveillance system has been sanctioned to improve safety across Delhi University’s North and South campus colleges. In the light of defunct CCTV cameras across Delhi, this initiative is expected to tackle concerns of security in and around these college grounds. 

Infrastructurally, the University is currently in the process of installing solar-powered systems through the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) alongside a 200-crore working women’s and girls’ hostel at the Dhaka Complex. Serious construction failures, such as salty water and poor concrete cover at the girls’ hostel, along with drainage upgrades at the Sports Complex and Tutorial Block, are expected to follow through. A proposal indicates the construction of a stainless-steel stormwater system to structurally stabilise Delhi University’s Rugby Sevens Sports Complex. 

Ongoing projects under the 1900-crore funding include renovations at the Faculty of Management Studies, new classrooms and faculty rooms for the Department of Commerce, refurbishment of the convocation hall and redevelopment of the vice-regal lodge. An in-principle approval has also been granted for a new cultural activity centre near Shri Shankar Lal Hall.

Under the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA), Delhi University has successfully secured funding of 195.6 crore for the creation of a Faculty of Technology building and 120 crores for an academic complex at Surajmal Vihar. 

Given the extent of infrastructural development planned and targeted by the University, a top-level project monitoring committee is expected to be formed under Prof. Balaram Pani, Dean of Colleges. However, the extent of development upon the already approved projects is under question, with a reported physical progress of less than 10%, as reported by the Times of India.

Read also: Delhi University Faces Backlash for Linguistic Misrepresentation in CSAS UG Admission Form

Image Credits: Devesh for DU Beat 

Aaratrika Ghosh

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DU Fee Hike Exceeds 20% Violating the Annual Fee Hike Policy of 10%

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Delhi University’s 2025–26 fee hike exceeds the 10 per cent cap, with charges like the Development Fund and EWS Welfare Fund rising up to 200per cent. Students and faculty voice concerns over steep hikes and lack of infrastructural improvements or transparency.

 

The University of Delhi has revised its fees for the 2025-2026 academic session. Despite its annual policy on fee hikes stating that fee revisions cannot exceed 10 per cent, this year’s fee hike was more than double what was stated in the policy.

This decision has come in light of similar fee hikes that have occurred from 2022 onwards in courses provided by Delhi University.

The University Development Fund has grown by around 67 per cent, highlighting a steady upward trend in student fees. Alongside this, the University Facilities and Services Charges have surged upwards as well by an intense 200 per cent, and the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Welfare Fund has increased by 150 per cent, a move that was approved by the vice chancellor using emergency superpowers through a notification on 3rd April.

From Rs 900 in 2022 to Rs 1,000 in 2023, Rs 1,200 in 2024, and Rs 1,500 in 2025, the University Development Fund has increased in size. From Rs 500 in 2022 to Rs 1,000 in 2023, Rs 1,250 in 2024, and Rs 1,500 this year, the facilities charges also went up. The Welfare Fund started off at Rs 100 in 2022 and has since increased to Rs 150 in 2023, Rs 200 in 2024, and Rs 250 today.

The University Development Fund increased by 25per cent this year, from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500. A 20 per cent increase was made to the university’s facilities and services charges, which went from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500. In the meantime, the EWS Welfare Fund saw a 25 per cent boost in just one year, going from Rs 200 to Rs 250.

The cost of the BEd and MEd programs is Rs 8,931 and Rs 9,046, respectively. The cost of law courses such as LLB and LLM is Rs 8,087. Technical courses like MCA and MSc Computer Science are more expensive, costing Rs 23,007 and Rs 22,887, respectively.

Students studying commerce will pay Rs 16,900, while those pursuing an MA in social work will come in at Rs 21,901.

Standard fees for students of undergraduate and postgraduate programs differ depending on the choice of stream and course, ranging from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 20,000. PhD candidates would pay a fee of Rs. 8,087, while MBA programs vary—IB and HRD streams cost Rs. 52,279, while a full-time MBA costs Rs. 60,818.

The consistent fee hike has sparked concerns amongst students and faculty of Delhi University alike, with Prof. Pankaj Garg, chairman of the Indian National Teachers’ Congress (INTEC), stating,


Students are being charged hefty fees by the university under the guise of the University Development Fund and University Facilities and Services Charges. The university, however, does not create any infrastructural facilities for the college; in government universities, this practice should not be permitted. Colleges should be allowed to retain the funds.”

As of April 12, there has been no response from Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh on the revision of the fee hike schedule.

 

Read Also: 72 Hours and Still No Trace: The Disappearance of Sneha Debnath Demands Urgent Action

 

Image Credits: Hindustan Times

Aastha Singh

singhaastha196@gmail.com

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