Why Stephen’s college don’t want to obey UGC rules for admissions?

Supporting a petition challenging St. Stephen's College's decision to continue admission interviews for undergraduate vacancies, the University of Delhi has told the High Court that the university cannot be allowed to create "subjectivity bias and discrimination" by conducting interviews for students belonging to non-minority communities.

The affidavit filed by the University of Delhi further stated that the law is well established that it helped minority educational institutions and that they cannot admit students into the category without reservations as per their own whims and fancies.

The Delhi High Court is currently considering two petitions. One was motivated by Stephen's defiance of Delhi University's order to grant admission to undergraduate courses through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and withdraw the prospectus issued by the university. And second, he was moved by Monika Poddar, a law student through PIL who questioned the university's decision to continue interviewing for admission to its general seats.

On Wednesday, the court adjourned the matter to July 15, after UGC's defence advocate Apoorv Kurup sought time and stated that ASG Vikramjit Banerjee has covid and was leading them on the matter.

During the hearing, Stephens's attorney raised questions about the credibility of the student petitioner, saying that the petitioner is an aspiring law student and is not seeking admission to Stephens. The main lawyer Arun Bhardwaj for the petitioner Kanika Poddar said that when there is a 50 per cent reservation, then the colour of the minority has already been given. He added that the college does not require any extra selection procedures in general.

Meanwhile, the University of Delhi also supported the student's petition, saying the university cannot be allowed to bring "subjectivity bias and discrimination" by conducting interviews with students belonging to non-minority communities. Previously, the Delhi High Court had issued a notice to all the defendants in both matters.

Attorney Romy Chacko appeared for Stephen College and said that DU has written a letter that we must withdraw the prospectus and give a public clarification. The Bench said that if his position is that he is entitled to give 15 percentage points for the interview. "Then, do not implement the DU circular at this time. We will listen to the matter. You will not have consequences until the next hearing date. Stand firm in your position," the Bench said.

Previously, the Delhi High Court had issued a notice to all the defendants in both matters.

Attorney Romy Chacko appeared for Stephen College and said that DU has written a letter that we must withdraw the prospectus and give a public clarification.

The Bench said that if his position is that he is entitled to give 15 percent points for the interview. "Then, do not implement the DU circular at this time. We will listen to the matter. You will not have consequences until the next hearing date. Stand firm in your position," the Bench said.

The requesting association has challenged the DU's order to withdraw the prospectus issued by it and to grant admission through the CUET. The petitioner states that they are interviewing students seeking admission to the university. This practice has been for so many years and was allowed.

The petition filed through attorney Akash Vajpai claimed that taking interviews in which the award of points is left to the subjective satisfaction of the selection committee leaves ample room for discrimination and manipulation.

PIL stated that DU's policy specifically says that admission into general category seats at its minority colleges like St Stephen's will be on the basis of CUET grades only, whereas in reserved seat admission, those colleges can give a 15 percent weight to the interview. and 85 percent weighted to the CUET score at admission. It is sought that the income be granted according to the recommendations of the DU.

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