DU may change admission criteria, teachers cry foul

The Delhi University (DU) is all set to introduce reforms in its admission process, including early registration, entrance-cum-merit criterion, and online entrance exam, ahead of the 2017-18 session. Most of the reforms are likely to be implemented in the upcoming session itself.

"DU is pondering over several reforms in its admission process, including entrance-cum-merit criteria. The traditional cut-off based on Class XII marks will no longer be the sole criterion then. The varsity admission committee recommendations, however, are still awaited," a senior DU official said.

In order to give more time to applicants, the varsity is also mulling over advancing its admission process by at least a month. "It will help students seeking admission at DU by providing them with more time to complete the registration process," he said.

In addition, the varsity is also thinking of allotting entrance centers throughout the country to DU aspirants. "It will help students living in far-flung areas to appear for the entrance at their native places," the official said.

The admission committee will make the recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor, following which they will be put before the Academic Council (AC) and Executive Council (EC) — DU's statutory bodies — before implementation.

The teachers, however, are a little sceptical of introducing entrance in place of traditional cut-off method. "The move will diminish chances for those students who want to switch their discipline after Class XII. Let's say if a Class XII science student wants to pursue humanities in graduation, the chances of her/him getting a seat through entrance are much lesser," said Abha Dev Habib, a faculty at DU and an EC member. "Admission through entrance will also be a boost for coaching centers, again limiting the chances of those who cannot afford expensive coaching classes," Habib added.

Several other teachers said the varsity was not well-equipped logistically to make these changes immediately. "If the varsity is thinking of providing entrance centers throughout the country, it will create a great demand for logistics. It will only increase the economic burden on the varsity," another faculty member said.

Some teachers, on the other hand, said the introduction of entrance exam will make the admission process more transparent. "It will give a fair chance to students who don't believe in mugging to get admission in good colleges," said a Psychology professor at DU.

DU has introduced several changes in its admission process and policies in the last few years.