Delhi University (DU) has announced a significant change in its admission strategy, following a directive from the University Grants Commission (UGC) aimed at ensuring that no seats remain vacant in central universities. As Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh confirmed on Thursday, DU will now use Class XII marks to fill any remaining vacant seats after the completion of the regular admission rounds. This move is in response to the UGC's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), which seeks to optimize the utilization of university resources and broaden access to higher education.
The UGC's SOP was introduced to address the issue of vacant seats, which not only wastes valuable resources but also limits opportunities for many aspiring students. Last year, DU faced the challenge of approximately 5,000 vacant seats despite employing various strategies to fill them. The new directive aims to mitigate this issue by allowing universities to consider Class XII marks as a criterion for admissions in cases where seats remain unfilled after the primary admission rounds.
In reaction to the UGC's directive, Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh expressed support for the new guidelines, stating, "We welcome the directive by UGC. We are equally sensitive to the fact that seats in any course should not remain vacant. We will use Class XII marks to fill the vacant seats in UG programs." This approach signifies a shift from previous practices and highlights DU's commitment to maximizing the number of students benefiting from its educational offerings.
The admission process for the academic year 2024-25 is currently underway, with DU offering over 71,000 seats across more than 65 colleges through the Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET UG). The first phase of the admission process began on May 28, drawing approximately 270,000 students to register on the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) portal. However, the process has experienced delays due to the postponement of the CUET UG results. DU is keen to expedite the process once the results are announced to ensure that all available seats are filled.
The UGC's guidelines emphasize that CUET scores will remain the primary criterion for admissions to central universities. However, they also allow for some flexibility. According to the SOP, if seats remain vacant even after considering all CUET applicants, universities may conduct their own entrance exams or screening tests at the departmental level. This provision aims to address any potential shortfall in the number of students admitted through the CUET process.
Moreover, the SOP permits universities to consider CUET candidates regardless of the specific domain subject papers they appeared in. This flexibility is intended to further ensure that universities can fill vacant seats without being constrained by rigid subject-specific criteria. By allowing for a broader range of applicants, the UGC hopes to enhance access to higher education and make better use of available university resources.
In addition to these measures, the SOP also indicates that universities may relax domain-specific admission criteria when necessary. This provision aligns with DU's strategy of using Class XII marks to fill seats, providing a pragmatic solution to the challenge of unfilled seats while maintaining a fair and transparent admissions process.
Overall, the new approach adopted by Delhi University reflects a proactive effort to address the issue of vacant seats and optimize the use of educational resources. By incorporating Class XII marks into the admissions process and adhering to the UGC's guidelines, DU aims to ensure that every seat is filled and that more students have the opportunity to pursue higher education. The university's commitment to this goal demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to managing admissions and highlights its dedication to providing quality education to a broader student base.
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