The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently decided that universities can hold their entrance exams for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses if seats remain unfilled after the regular admission rounds. This decision was made during the UGC's 572nd meeting held on September 20, 2023, and is aimed at addressing the issue of vacant seats in Central Universities and their affiliated colleges.
The UGC has identified a persistent problem where a significant number of seats remain vacant even after multiple rounds of counseling. This not only wastes valuable resources but also denies many students the chance to pursue higher education at these institutions. To tackle this issue, the UGC has put forth a set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed to help universities effectively fill these vacancies.
The UGC has reiterated that the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) scores will continue to be the primary criterion for admissions. All Central Universities are required to admit students based on CUET scores. However, in cases where seats remain vacant even after several rounds of counseling using CUET scores, universities are now permitted to implement additional measures to fill these seats.
In a statement to ANI, UGC Chairman Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar stressed the importance of filling every available seat. He said, "Every seat is valuable in our universities. The UGC has provided SOPs to ensure that seats are filled, using CUET scores as the primary criteria. However, if vacancies persist, universities are permitted to conduct their entrance exams or consider marks from qualifying examinations." Prof. Kumar emphasized the need for transparency and merit in the admissions process, stating, "The goal is to ensure that no seat remains vacant and that every student has the opportunity to pursue their education in Central Universities."
The approved SOPs include several key measures:
1. Consideration of CUET Scores: Students who have taken the CUET, even if they did not apply to a particular university, may still be considered for admission. Universities may also relax domain-specific criteria for certain courses if necessary.
2. Conducting University-Level Entrance Exams: If seats remain vacant after considering all CUET applicants, universities have the option to conduct their own entrance examinations or screening tests at the departmental level.
3. Admission Based on Qualifying Examination Marks: Universities can admit students based on their marks from qualifying examinations as an alternative measure to fill vacant seats.
4. Merit and Transparency: The entire admission process must be merit-based and conducted transparently to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all candidates.
5. Reservation Roster: The reservation roster will continue to apply to all courses and programs, ensuring compliance with established reservation policies.
6. Timely Completion: Universities are required to complete the admission process promptly to avoid any academic delays for students. These SOPs aim to address the challenges associated with unfilled seats and ensure that every available spot is utilized effectively, enhancing the overall educational opportunities for students across Central Universities.
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