Marks 'inflated', university broke recruitment norms

The Delhi University violated norms in hiring at least seven junior assistants this year, information revealed through Right to Information queries indicates. 

According to documents obtained through RTI, the written tests scores of four candidates were inflated to make them eligible for selection, whereas two candidates got ‘undue’ benefits under the Other Backward Classes (non-creamy layer) quota. 

Earlier reports had suggested that a candidate who skipped interview was shortlisted for the post of junior assistant.

The university said it has set up an enquiry committee to carry out a probe.The Joint Dean of Student welfare and DU's media co-ordinator, Malay Neerav said, “The Vice Chancellor has set up an enquiry committee to look into all the cases and the overall fairness of the exam.” 

He added that a senior functionary of the university is currently examining the case. 

Basing his allegations on RTI documents, the petitioner Rajiv Parasar said the written test scores were inflated to the tune of 1-12 marks to favour four candidates, who otherwise failed to make the cut after the interview round. 

“Their documents obtained after different rounds of screening show that there are discrepancies in marks,” said Parasar.

He said the selection committee also bypassed rules to select two candidates under Other Backward Classes (non-creamy layer) quota, who otherwise were eligible for the creamy layer quota. 

While questioning the ‘fairness of a committee instituted by an administration that is involved’ in the alleged wrongdoing, Parasar said, “It is clear through the RTIs that University administration was itself involved in inflating marks of candidates to make them eligible.

“How can the administration investigate its own wrongdoing? An independent body, without any affiliation to the University should conduct this probe, besides cancelling this result and conducting the exam again,” he said.