DU aspirants protest against cut-off marks

The high cut-off marks for admission to Delhi University’s under graduation courses prompted protests by government school students and their parents on the campus on Thursday.

During the protests, in which DU students joined hands with aspirants, agitators burnt the effigy of Union Human Resource Development Minister Pallam Raju.

“DU witnesses an increase in the number of applicants each admission year. Yet there are no attempts to increase seats in colleges. The rising cut-offs make admissions restricted to the privileged few, said Arvind, who wants to pursue under graduation in commerce. There was a similar protest at the varsity last year, too.

“The cut-offs are primarily based on the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) results. The CBSE has been giving high marks to everyone, contrary to the state government boards where marks are not so high,” said another student. 

“I have applied to DU’s School of Open Learning. However, such discrimination denies me the right to get admitted in a DU college. Why are the policy makers quiet? Is this another way to exclude the poor from higher education? ” the student said.