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Annual Sports Awards Function 2026 held at VC Lodge

By DU Beat May 9, 2026

On 8th May, the Annual Sports Awards Function was organised, where several student athletes were honoured by the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University and Director of the Delhi University Sports Council for their remarkable athleticism and dedication.

The Annual Sports Awards Function 2026, conducted by the Delhi University Sports Council (DUSC), was held on 8th May 2026, from 11:30 am onwards at the Convention Hall, Vice Regal Lodge, University of Delhi. Prof. Yogesh Singh, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, was honoured as the Chief Guest. The event was organised to recognise the achievements of students across various colleges of the University of Delhi in the realm of sports and bestow upon them accolades for their remarkable contributions in the arena.

The event saw the presence of several dignitaries who graced the dais alongside Prof. Yogesh Singh, including Dr Anil Kumar Kalkal, Director DUSC, who facilitated the Vice Chancellor; Dr Vikas Gupta, Joint Registrar; Prof. Rajni Abbi, Director South Campus, and Prof. Payal Mago, Director, Campus of Open Learning.

The Delhi School of Journalism (DSJ) was designated as the media partner for the event, with the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of DSJ being assigned the role of convener of the Media and Website alongside a role in the Central Coordination Committee. “We have put together a team of students for the task, and will be performing our duty as intended,” they said.

The event began with the presentation of the DUSC’s Annual Report, followed by a welcome address from the Director of the Delhi University Sports Council, after which the Vice Chancellor addressed the audience. In his speech, the VC urged that sports be seen as “core curricular” rather than “co-curricular,” citing the importance of movement and physical activity in people’s lives. He also asked the principals of various colleges present at the event to not only encourage students to partake in physical activities but also to make use of the sports infrastructure provided, citing the Rugby ground, gymnasium, and indoor sports facilities at the Multipurpose Hall of the University Sports Complex. Additionally, he also commemorated the students who had shown talent, determination, and dedication in their respective fields, in his speech.

Following the Vice Chancellor’s Address, the award distribution ceremony commenced. Notably, a large portion of the students honoured were women. Individual students as well as college teams were honoured, with Deshbandhu College’s Women’s Archery team and Kirori Mal College’s Women’s Basketball team, amongst others, winning the Intercollege Tournament. For the second year in a row, the Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences was awarded the Champions’ Trophy.

After the conclusion of the event, students were seen celebrating, trophies in hand and coaches by their side, clicking pictures in the afternoon sunshine.

Image Credits: Souparnika.S.R

Souparnika.S.R

Campus Central

Hansraj hosted an event to celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram, VC attended

By DU Beat November 27, 2025

Hansraj College hosted a commemorative event on 14 November 2025 to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram, drawing Delhi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Singh, senior DU officials, and faculty representatives from several colleges.

The Vice Chancellor was escorted into the auditorium by NCC cadets. A short introductory note on the significance of the national song was delivered by Dr Gunjan Kumar Jha, who opened the event. The programme was also attended by senior DU officials, including the Director of South Campus, Prof. Rajni Abbi, the Dean of Colleges, Prof. Balram Pani, and faculty members from colleges such as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Deshbandhu and Daulat Ram. The event then moved to its main segment, a complete rendition of Vande Mataram, led by the Vice Chancellor and performed by Swaranjali, the college’s music society, with the audience joining in. The entire lyrics of Vande Mataram were displayed on three screens inside the auditorium to help attendees sing along.

In the address that followed, Prof. Yogesh Singh described Vande Mataram as “the heartbeat of India”, citing its influence on the freedom struggle and the Bengal Revolution. He also administered the Swadeshi Sankalp oath. The Principal, Prof. Rama, concluded the programme by referring to Vande Mataram as the “soul of Indian nationalism”. The event coordinator, Dr Shailu Singh, added that the intention was “not just collective singing, but understanding what the song meant and the values it reflects”, suggesting that such values remain significant to the college.

The event received a positive response from students, many of whom reported that they had never heard the full rendition of Vande Mataram before. This experience invoked a sense of unity among them.

Hansraj’s event took place amid university-wide commemorations marking the song’s 150th year. According to organisers, similar gatherings are expected to continue across Delhi University until November 2026 as part of an extended observation cycle. The Hindu noted that “This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week accused the Congress party of having removed key stanzas of the original song in 1937 while speaking at an event on November 7, 2025, to mark 150 years since Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay wrote it.” Together, the ongoing university programmes and the national dialogue situate Hansraj’s event within a broader context of reflection on the legacy of the national song.

Image credit: Hansraj College Administration

Suansh Dembla

DUB News

Delhi University Embraces Dual Degree Programs

By DU Beat December 4, 2023

The proposal for the dual degree programme gained approval at the academic council meeting held recently. Opposition to this decision became evident as some council members voiced their reservations.

On November 30, 2023, the Academic Council of the University of Delhi held a meeting where the decision was taken to proceed with the implementation of a dual degree system starting from the next academic session. The program will involve a combination of traditional and remote classes, giving students a chance to accumulate additional academic experience within the standard time frame. Moreover, the possibility of providing twinning degrees was also taken into discussion. A program enabling Delhi University students to pursue a degree from select foreign institutions with which the university plans to establish partnerships However, the decision has currently been deferred.

In December 2022, the university put together a committee to discuss the potential idea of twinning, joint, and dual degrees, keeping in mind the guidelines issued by the National Education Policy 2020. 11 months later, while most council members gave the proposal a thumbs up, 15 of them raised some genuine concerns. It was argued that offering students dual degrees will dilute the value of their main subject, given the full-time nature of their academic programmes, and put more strain on students and teachers alike. Former Executive Council member Abha Dev Habib pointed out that the students will benefit more from “quality education and not a bag full of degrees.” Despite the apprehensions that came to light, the resolution was approved, and starting next session, both undergraduate and postgraduate students keen on pursuing a dual degree can communicate so to their respective colleges. The proper procedure will be laid down by the university, which will include both in-person and distance-learning models, as mentioned before.

The 1016th meeting of the Academic Council of the University of Delhi, under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh, also discussed the number of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD admissions that were made this academic year, the few modalities made in the syllabus for the current academic session, the new orphan quota, and the awarding of a total of 6115 promotions to professors of the university.

Featured image credits: www.du.ac.in

Lakshita Arora

Coronavirus

DUTA Refuses to Comply as DU Seeks Information Regarding Online Classes

By DU Beat April 24, 2020

Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has refused to comply after the University of Delhi sent colleges and institutions letters seeking details regarding the online classes conducted by teachers.

On 20th April 2020, the University of Delhi (DU) administration had sent a letter to all of the varsity’s colleges and institutions to enquire about the online classes being taken by the teachers. However, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has refused to comply with these demands. DUTA said that the teachers would not be filling out this form as it feels that this form could be used to draw a conclusion that is in favour of online exams.

This seeking of information was done by the varsity after the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry sought details of the online classes being conducted during the pandemic by the teachers. Previously, the university had urged its teachers to remain in touch with students. They had been asked to distribute e-resources, and this was done by providing material through WhatsApp and e-mail. On Monday, 21st April, DU sent a letter to its colleges requesting information regarding the classes being conducted online.

However, DUTA wrote to the Vice Chancellor, urging him to withdraw the letter. “We express our utter dismay at the approach taken by the university in the face of the pandemic with respect to conduct of online classes and the forthcoming semester examinations,” the association wrote to the VC. “The letter does not indicate as to the purpose for which this information is being sought, that too at such short notice. We wish to point out that the format sent out to the colleges reveals extreme shortsightedness as there is no attempt whatsoever to find out how students and teachers are coping with the abrupt closure of the university due to the pandemic and subsequent lockdown announced by the government.” They also added that “The format expects teachers to answer questions in a manner that would reveal very little about the preparedness for exams or issues which they are facing.”

Earlier, DUTA had written to the administration opposing the idea of online examinations. They had urged the administration to understand the lack of resources available to various students of the varsity, as well as the fact that online classes could not compensate for in-class lectures. They, therefore, insisted that online examinations weren’t a viable option.

“Hence, to ask colleges to submit details of online classes on the format circulated is not only grossly misplaced but also indicates the complete lack of concern on the part of the authorities towards the well-being of students and teachers,” the DUTA said.

DUTA has therefore decided to reject the letter in fear that it may be used to draw conclusions in favour of online examinations.

Feature Image Credit: DU Beat Archive

Shreya Juyal

News

DUTA Writes To DU VC Regarding Delay in Salaries

By DU Beat April 8, 2020

Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) wrote to Professor Yogesh Tyagi, Vice Chancellor (VC), Delhi University (DU) regarding the delay in the payment of salaries to teachers working on ad hoc/guest basis.

On 6^th April 2020, DUTA wrote to Professor Yogesh Tyagi, VC, DU regarding the delay in the payment of salaries to the teachers of the university who are working on ad hoc/guest basis. Though DUTA thanked the administration for the steps that the university has taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the series of notifications for the payment of salaries to employees – teaching and non-teaching and staff under CAS / SAP / DSA Scheme, honorarium to guest faculty and fellowships to project staff, researchers and fellows, they drew attention to the delay in the payment of salaries of ad hoc and guest teachers. The delay of payment of salaries has remained to be a pressing issue plaguing the university’s temporary teaching staff and especially in the ongoing pandemic, it is turning fatal for money and gravely jeopardising their financial situation. According to sources, the departments had sent approvals regarding the extension of the term of ad hoc teachers and the appointment of guest lectures, but due to delay in these approvals, the temporary faculty is now facing a denial of financial security.

“It seems that Departments are still awaiting necessary approvals from the University,” DUTA wrote, as revealed by a released press statement. “It had been brought to our notice that ad-hoc teachers have either been paid salaries till 29 February or till 20 March 2020. Departments had sent recommendations for the extension of the term of these teachers and are still awaiting approvals. As far as guest teachers are concerned, approvals to their appointments are yet to be received by Departments even though these teachers have been teaching since the beginning of the semester. Heads of Departments are hesitant to fill the required information in the form sent out in the absence of these approvals. Please note that this delay in completing required formalities have denied financial security to these teachers. Salaries and honorarium are often delayed for months together but a delay in the current situation is causing much hardship to teachers.”

Before the shut down of the university, the organisation had called for an indefinite strike of DU teachers to protest against the lack of job security for ad hocs and guest lecturers who were denied job security.

Rajesh Jha, EC Member, said, “There is no nationale to withhold their salary, when they have been working hard for our university despite their uncertain situation. They are still attending the students. Even the central and state governments have come out with the policy of no salary cut during the period of lockdown. The university and college administration must release their salaries immediately.”

Vice Chancellor Professor Yogesh Tyagi is yet to comment on the released statement by DUTA.

Feature Image Credits: Official DU Website

Shreya Juyal

Campus Central

The Executive Council Holds Emergency Meeting for DU

By DU Beat February 26, 2020

A meeting of the Executive Council (EC), discussing significant DU centric agendas took place on 26th February, Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the council room at the Vice Regal Lodge, Delhi University (DU).

Some of the primary agendas that were to be discussed in this emergent meeting include drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DU and Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India regarding the declaration of DU as an institution of Eminence (IoE). Apart from this implementation of the IoE proposed in the previous meeting would also be thought further. The creation of the post of Director General, IoE and consequential amendments to the relevant Statutes and Ordinances is marked as another separate agenda for the meeting.

The Academics for Action and Development (AAD) is in strong disapproval of this meeting to to impose IoE. It claims of this conference as a hastily taken step to get the agenda put forward by the authority rubber stamped. Calling it as another arbitrary action violating the rules and regulations of DU, Richa Raj, Co Press Secretary, AAD, said, “As per the DU statutes, the Registrar is the ex-officio Member-Secretary of EC and authorised to convene the meeting. When there is no Registrar in the university, how can this meeting be convened? The membership of Five statutory university officials and three elected members from the court are also vacant and such a truncated EC can not alter the nature and structure of DU, which IoE intends to do.”

As per AAD the implementation of the new economic policy (NEP) has already begun and the imposition of the IoE is just an attempt for its implementation in a complete and organised manner. The Vice Chancellor (VC) paying no regard to the grievances of teachers in context to the absorption and promotion with counting of ad hoc experience, inspite of their month long struggle is just absorbed in the attempts aiming at privatization of higher education in India.

SBN Tiwary, Co Press Secretary, AAD, informed, “The DU is going to implement the Board of Governors (BOG) ruled autonomous structure within the DU in the name of “Eminence”, where this institute would receive a grant of Rs. 1000 Crore in ten years from the center directly and their matters will never see the critical scrutiny of EC, AC and Finance Committee (FC). It is interesting to note that the IITs under this scheme have received only Rs. 48 Crore in two years out of the sanctioned Rs. 1000 Crores.”

Some of the significant consequences that the implementation of the IoE will include the diversion of attention from the faculty and stake holders of the university, which will cause only a parallel structure to receive the entire limelight and government patronage. AAD predicts that after a few years even the BOG governed parallel structure will be left on it’s own terms of grants and maintenance.

Rajib Ray, President, Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), expressing his views about the same, said, “The DUTA stands categorically opposed to the DU VC’s hasty and authoritarian move to pawn away the University’s future by submitting a proposal for the Institution of Eminence (IoE) status without seeking discussion or prior statutory approval in the Academic Council and Executive Council.” In its official press statement, DUTA mentioned that though the VC called the eminent meeting to seek formal approval for the IoE, he didn’t provide the statutory authorities with the time to make up their minds and debate the implications of the proposal.

The proposal is nothing but a clear cut blueprint for steady commercialisation of the university through an undertaking to start self finance courses and full online degree programs. Rajinder Singh, Secretary, DUTA, further informed of the proposal undertaking to hike students fees and employing 20 percent foreign faculty, on an incentive based differential pay structure. DUTA warns the VC from going ahead with a proposal that alters the character and dilutes the core priorities of Delhi University. Further, the proposal binds DU in an obligation to raise 95 crore rupees towards meeting recurring expenses like salaries and 350 crore rupees towards non-recurring capital expenditure by 2025.

“None of these provisions have been discussed in the Academic or Executive Council. In fact, the proposal attempts to replace these existing statutory bodies by an ‘independent’ Governing Council that has no elected representation of teachers, students or karamcharis. None of the representative bodies of these primary stakeholders have been consulted while drawing up this draconian proposal,” was revealed by Mr. Ray.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Kriti Gupta

[email protected]

DUB News

Retired DU Professor’s Plight of Pension and Poor Health

By DU Beat February 23, 2020

Retired DU Professor, Novy Kapadia, who battles a rare Auto Immune Disorder, is one amongst the hundreds who still haven’t received their pensions from the University, after retirement.

Novy Kapadia is a retired professor of English who taught in SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi (DU) for more than three decades. He is also a renowned sports commentator and author of a book on Indian Football, Barefoot to Boots. A member of several DU Boards and Committees during his career, he retired from office about two years ago.

Since then, he’s been diagnosed with a rare Auto Immune Disorder that has caused irreversible damage to his nervous system and has crippled him.

The problem? He still hasn’t started receiving his pension.

His critical medical condition owing to Auto Immune Disorder has rendered him partially disabled and confined him to the four walls of his house. He bears the huge cost of treatment alone, without a source of income, solely relying on the help of former colleagues and students.

In conversation with DU Beat, professor Kapadia said, “It has been around two years since I have retired. I served in many committees throughout my 40 year career and was a very active member of the DU teaching fraternity. After I retired, I got diagnosed with this incurable disease. My disease isn’t one that can be cured with a surgery or like a virus which goes away with time. I don’t have any relatives to rely on either, it is only my ex-colleagues and former students who are there. I have a full time attendant, who charges INR 100 an hour. All this while, I haven’t received a single penny of my pension. No money comes in, money is only going out. That is very scary for me.”

However, he is only one, amongst the hundreds who haven’t received their pensions either.

“My file is one amongst the many. This issue has been going on for such a long time and there has not been any conclusive results yet. while my friends and colleagues in these councils and committees have tried to raise the issue, no one from DU has officially said anything regarding the pension,” adds professor Kapadia.

The problem finds its root in a 2014 University Grants Commission (UGC) decision, where the UGC decided to stop the payment of pensions, as the scheme was launched in 1987 without its permission. What followed was a court case that lasted till 2017, where the Delhi High Court finally ordered for pensions to be released for all employees.

Despite the High Court order, as can be seen in Professor Kapadia’s case, there hasn’t been any progress regarding the pensions.

“Delhi University is sitting over a bunch files relating to pensionary benefits of superannuated teachers. Novy Kapadia is one such victims of apathy and indifference of a cruel administration, who has been denied regular pension since he retired almost two years ago. How dare a system treat us like this after superannuation and force us to be left in the lurch?,” says a statement in support of the ex-professor.

Saikat Ghosh, member, Academic Council DU, adds, “In his ailing state, Mr. Kapadia’s troubles have been compounded by the Delhi University’s refusal to fix his pension and help him meet his treatment expenses. Due to no fault on his part, the DU administration has not deemed it urgent to disburse a single penny of his hard-earned pension. Mr. Kapadia’s case is not isolated; in fact it is illustrative of the problems that all retired teachers are facing, especially those whose pensions have been held up by the DU administration on some flimsy pretext or the other, in recent years. Many are ailing and in need of urgent care and assistance. This is a brazen violation of the legally-guaranteed right to pension and full retirement benefits for DU teachers.”

According to Professor Saikat Ghosh, repeated pleas to the current VC, Prof. Yogesh K. Tyagi, have gone unheeded and the union government has also refused to withdraw its ill-advised SLPs against sections of teachers who have been due for pension.

Image Credits: Livemint

Satviki Sanjay

DUB News

DUTA to continue strike, march to VC’s office on the 23rd.

By DU Beat December 22, 2019

The DUTA General Board met on 20th December 2019 to determine the association’s trajectory of actions as they move forward with the strike

The General Board Meeting (GBM) Resolution passed by Delhi University’s Teachers’ Association (DUTA) on 20th December, begins by congratulating the teachers for making the strike effective and encouraging them to continue the day-night dharna ta the Vice Chancellor’s Office. It further appeals to them to boycott their evaluation and other official duties, in view of the association’s demands remaining unaddressed. The General Body also decided to extend its indefinite strike as ad-hoc teachers across the university, in different colleges, continue to be removed. The judgment spells out an urgent need for protestors to proactively push for the absorption of ad-hoc teachers on the basis of the Department of Personnel and Training Roster and promotion of teachers with their ad-hoc experience also being taken into consideration.

The General Body goes on to condemn the Vice-Chancellor of the University for his blatant disregard of the association’s persistent demands and refusal to revoke the highly contested 28th August 2019 letter, in the judgment. On account of the VC’s inaction, the General Body laid down various mass action programs, for the coming week; On Monday, 23rd December, a march on campus is scheduled to be held against the VC to demand the immediate implementation of Record of Discussion of 5th December 2019. The following day on Tuesday, 24th December, DUTA will hold a press conference on the issue of Absorption and other issues that stand before them. While, at colleges, where ad-hoc teachers have been terminated, DUTA Office Bearers are to correspondingly decide on an action programme if concerned principals do not immediately act upon the University Letter of 12th December 2019.

The resolution appeals staff associations to further their support for and participation in the agitation and urges them send in suggestions before the next Extended Executive on 27th December 2019 which is to be immediately followed by the next DUTA GBM on 27th December 2019 when a review of the past week will be held and another plan of action will be accordingly formulated.

Prisha Saxena

Image Credits: DU Beat Archive

Campus Central

DU Writes to President against High-Rise in North Campus

By Sakshi Arora October 29, 2019

Varsity seeks President’s intervention to stop the construction of a 39-storey high rise private building in North Campus.

The Delhi University (DU) has urged the President of India, the Vice President, and the Delhi Lieutenant Governor to intervene in the matter pertaining to the construction of a 39-storey private building in North Campus. The Vice President of the country is the officiating Chancellor of the University, and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi is the Chief Rector of the varsity.

Various sections have condemned the construction of the building, saying it is being constructed illegally on public land. They have also said the building will overlook six girls’ hostels in the varsity and will invade their privacy. Protests in this regard have regularly been ongoing since the move was given clearance by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) earlier last month.

The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) has also opposed the construction of the building in North Campus saying it “would significantly alter the social and cultural landscape of Delhi University” and also compromise the “safety of women students”.

The building is coming up adjacent to Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station in the North Campus of the University.

On Saturday, the varsity’s vice-chancellor Yogesh Tyagi announced at the Executive Council meeting that the varsity will be developed into an “integrated closed campus” within a year, sources said, adding the Council sought the support of North MCD and Delhi Police for this. The University’s South Campus, on the other hand, is a closed campus. The varsity has also formed a 20-member task force to look into the matter and address issues like illegal parking, traffic, incidents of snatching in the campus.

DU had also written to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Home Ministry as well as the Ministry of Defense on this matter. DUTA, the teachers’ body also said that there is already a severe paucity of spaces for students on campus, for their accommodation, recreation and for other academic activities and the use of this space for a residential complex is questionable in its intent. DU also insists that the construction of this building will come in the way of the Master Plan of Delhi, 2021, that has been envisaged for the city’s infrastructure. Moreover, according to the documents accessed by Mail Today, 228 trees have been felled for the construction of this building.

Feature Image Credits: The Times of India

Bhavya Pandey