JNU: Follow UGC Notification Regarding M.Phil & Ph.D. Admissions, Clarifies Delhi HC & Centre

On March 16, 2017, the High Court of Delhi clarified that it is mandatory to follow the UGC gazette notification regarding M.Phil & Ph.D. admissions. The court dismissed the petition filed by students of Jawaharlal Nehru University against the UGC notification.

Justice V. Kameswararao revealed that it is mandatory for any university to follow the regulations framed by the University Grants Commission. The judge declared the petitions as infructuous as it did not carry any merit. Therefore, the Executive Council and Academic Council have to adopt the UGC notification without any deviation.

Also read: - JNU to Delhi HC: UGC Notification on Ph.D. & M.Phil Scholars is Binding

With the adoption of UGC notification, Jawaharlal Nehru University has to do away with the existing rule, which indicates that 80% weightage will be given to the written exam for admission to M.Phil and Ph.D. whereas 20% marks for Viva-Voce along with the deprivation points that are given to backward classes. The new UGC guidelines do not leave any scope for awarding deprivation points.

The new UGC notification also indicates that the candidates who qualify in the written test will not be granted admission. These candidates will need to qualify in Viva-Voce, only then they will be considered for final admission.

Also read: - JNU to Start Courses on Rigveda and Upanishads

On the other hand, Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of State Human Resource Development presented a written reply to Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2017, indicating that the UGC notification and guidelines are applicable to all the universities. Therefore, it is mandatory for all the varsities to follow the new guidelines.

He further explained that the UGC has issued new guidelines for the admission to M.Phil and Ph.D. course to maintain the quality of research and regulate sub-standard research degrees.