JNU: Delhi HC admits case against new admission policy, stays order backing UGC norms | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

JNU: Delhi HC admits case against new admission policy, stays order backing UGC norms

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Apr 27, 2017 12:54 PM IST

The Delhi HC allowed JNU student’s plea against admission process and stayed the previous order by single-judge bench till next hearing on April 28.

The Delhi High Court has stayed the order of its single judge bench which had dismissed a students’ plea against JNU’s new admission policy for 2017-18 capping the number of students per professor for MPhil and PhD courses.

The students have claimed that proper procedure was not followed by the university while adopting a 2016 notification of the University Grant Commission (UGC) on admission policy.(HT FILE)
The students have claimed that proper procedure was not followed by the university while adopting a 2016 notification of the University Grant Commission (UGC) on admission policy.(HT FILE)

The students have claimed that proper procedure was not followed by the university while adopting a 2016 notification of the University Grant Commission (UGC) on admission policy.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Anu Malhotra decided to review the single judge bench verdict noting that it will have “wide ramifications”.

“It cannot be denied that the Single Judge in the impugned order has given findings and made absolute propositions of law which would have wide ramifications,” the bench said in its March 18 order.

Observing that the students have made out a “prima facie” case against the JNU’s admission process, the bench directed that till the next date of hearing on April 28, the single judge verdict will be stayed.

The single judge had refused to accept the students’ contention that the university can decide how to implement the regulations, saying once UGC framed the regulations, the varsity was required to follow it.

The single judge had rejected students’ contention, saying the UGC Act, under which the regulation was issued, was enacted by Parliament and would prevail over the JNU Act which lays down the procedure for adopting the notification.

The single judge’s judgement had come on the students’ plea contending that the UGC notification dated July 5, 2016, “threatens to put our future in jeopardy” as they would not be able to find research supervisors/guides due to the said notification.

Apart from the JNU students, the Students Federation of India (SFI) has also moved the court against the UGC norms on the eligibility and manner of admission to the MPhil and PhD courses in the country.

The SFI in its plea has challenged the constitutional validity of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of MPhil and PhD degree) Regulations 2016 which came into effect from July 5, 2016. The students’ body termed the Regulations as “irrational, unreasonable and arbitrary” and alleged that it was contrary to the fundamental rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy.

The students were of the view that the regulation only sets the minimum standards and it was for the varsity to decide how to implement them.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Soibam Rocky Singh was part of Hindustan Times’ nationwide network of correspondents that brings news, analysis and information to its readers. He no longer works with the Hindustan Times..

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On