Clearing Class XII and CUET enough to secure admission in DU colleges

Students will only need to clear Class XII and Common University Entrance Test (CUET) to be eligible for admission in colleges under Delhi University (DU) from the 2022-23 academic session, the executive council of the varsity decided in its meeting recently.

The council on March 25 approved a proposal to consider passing marks in the CUET instead of cut-offs for admissions. So far, admissions in DU colleges were based on marks obtained in Class XII board exams.

The university also accepted the proposal to set up Delhi School of Analytics (DSA) under Institutes of Eminence. The DSA will offer short and long-term certificate courses, diploma and degree programmes that will enhance the business analytical skills of students.

A proposal to borrow money from the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) was also accepted by the council despite some members showing dissent.

The DU will be submitting a proposal of Rs 1,075.40 crore to HEFA for infrastructure development and the creation of capital assets.

According to the HEFA funding pattern, the university will have to repay the loan in 20 bi-annual instalments in 10 years.

The dissenting members were apprehensive that the HEFA proposal will make the public funded university shift from a grant-based model to loan-based model of financing and lead the university towards a debt trap.

They strongly opposed the "dangerous movement towards privatisation and the steep hike in the fees of the students" and said taking a loan was "unacceptable".

The proposal to establish an Institute of Nanomedical Sciences (INMS) was also cleared by the executive council.

During the meeting, some executive council members demanded that one time regulation for absorption of all ad hoc/temporary teachers of DU be introduced and they demanded that a committee be formed to give effect to this.