Delhi HC Seeks Response from JNU on UGC Notification, Admission Prospectus 2017 Stalled

As per the petition filed by the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University, the High Court of Delhi directed the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to withhold the publication of admission prospectus for the academic year 2017-18. On the other hand, the court also sought the response from the varsity on the UGC Notification dated May 5, 2016.

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The case came to hearing for the first time, and the petitioners claimed that UGC Notification pushed the future of students in jeopardy, as the candidates who wish to pursue research will not find a guide due to various clauses prescribed in UGC Gazette notification. The notification also restricted the number of scholars whom that faculty member can accept.

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According to sources, Pramod Kumar, Registrar of Jawaharlal Nehru University who was also present at the Delhi HC hearing clarified that the varsity will withhold the admission prospectus for the academic session 2017-18 until the next hearing, which will take place on March 2, 2017. He also assured that the future of students would not be affected.

On the other hand, the students’ counsel argued that the UGC Notification creates a negative vacancy which also threatens the existing students. However, Pramod Kumar pointed that the intake for M.Phil and Ph.D. courses will be based on sanctioned faculty strength.
In response, the students’ counsel pointed that a total number of 308 teaching positions are lying vacant, and the matter should be referred back to the Academic Council meeting (Part 1) where all the representatives of students were present.