The University Grants Commission (UGC) has granted Central Universities (CUs) the authority to conduct their own entrance exams for undergraduate and postgraduate courses if seats remain vacant after regular admissions through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). This move aims to ensure that all available seats are utilized, addressing the issue of vacant seats that persist even after several rounds of CUET counselling.
Background
Despite the implementation of CUET and subsequent counselling rounds, a significant number of seats remain unfilled in Central Universities. For instance, in 2023, after four rounds of seat allocations for undergraduate programs, more than 5,000 seats were still vacant across over 60 colleges under the University of Delhi (DU). With approximately 1.75 lakh seats available across all Central Universities for UG programs, it is estimated that 5-10% of these seats remain vacant post-counselling, leaving about 8,000 to 15,000 seats unoccupied by the end of the academic year.
UGC’s Response: A Second Chance for Students
In response to this issue, the UGC has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide Central Universities in filling these vacant seats. UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating that leaving seats vacant wastes resources and denies many students access to quality higher education.
Under the new SOP, Central Universities are permitted to conduct their entrance exams after exhausting the list of applicants who participated in CUET. Additionally, they can admit students based on marks obtained in their qualifying examinations. For example, the University of Delhi has decided to use Class XII marks to fill its vacant seats in 2024.
Challenges and Considerations
The decision to allow universities to conduct their entrance exams has raised concerns, particularly regarding the geographical disadvantage it may pose for students. For instance, students from distant regions like Kerala may face difficulties in traveling to Delhi for DU’s admission test.
There are also broader concerns about the efficiency of the CUET system itself. While centralizing entrance exams is a globally accepted practice, the implementation of CUET has faced challenges such as technical glitches, result delays, and disruptions to the academic cycle. Experts like BJ Rao, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, suggest that improvements in infrastructure and the introduction of a two-level exam system could help address these issues, ensuring a more efficient and equitable admissions process.
The Need for a Balanced Approach
The current system, despite its intentions, has led to delays in academic sessions and an ongoing struggle to fill seats, which is particularly problematic in a semester-based system. Former Central University of Himachal Pradesh Vice-Chancellor Furqan Qamar argues that relying solely on multiple entrance exams may place an unfair burden on students, especially those who cannot afford expensive coaching. He advocates for an approach that considers students’ board exam performance while ensuring that any entrance tests conducted are accessible and do not add undue hardship.
Conclusion
The UGC’s decision to allow Central Universities to conduct their entrance exams for vacant seats is a pragmatic response to the challenges posed by the CUET system. However, it also highlights the need for ongoing reforms to create a more efficient and equitable admissions process that benefits all students.
