Student organisations said they are willing to discuss the possibility of having common entrance tests for admission to undergraduate courses in Delhi University, after the BJP MP Vijay Goel mounted criticism on the varsity's cut-off based admission process.
DU has received over 2 lakh registration for more than 60,000 undergraduate seats since the online admission process was launched on June 1. Closing date of registration is June 19.
Good idea
The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad told DH that having common entrance tests looks like a good idea, as the cut-off based admission process is a flawed way to screen applicants from various state and national boards.
Earlier on Tuesday, Goel sought reservation for Delhi students, saying the state boards can’t be equated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), claiming that exam malpractices are rampant in some state boards. The Rajya Sabha MP even met DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi to discuss the issue.
Weed out disparities
“We agree that there is a need to weed out disparities. No student should be at a disadvantage due to the marking scheme. But there is a need to discuss the issue with all stakeholders,” ABVP spokesperson Saket Bahuguna said. He added that some state boards are not generous in awarding marks to students.
This year, the university is conducting entrance tests for postgrad and MPhil courses at five centres outside Delhi.
It's the first foray for DU outside the Capital. According to the varsity authorities, over 1 lakh students applied to various postgraduate programmes in DU.
But Bahuguna said conducting a common entrance test for over 60,000 undergraduate seats in DU will be a way more daunting and mammoth task. “It’s a welcome step, but a lot of thought needs to be put into it,” he added.
Chhatra Yuva Sanghrash Samiti (CYSS), the student wing of Aam Aadmi Party, said it’s also open to the idea of a common entrance test. “The proposal should be discussed in the university,” CYSS General Secretary Anmol Panwar said.
As for the postgrad courses, he said the varsity should conduct entrance exams at more centres outside Delhi next year. DU colleges are known for posting jaw-dropping cut-offs, sometimes ranging between 95-100 %.