JNU VC Criticised by Student Union for not Reducing Viva Weightage

The Student Union of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNUSU) has expressed that they are disappointed with the decision taken by the Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar regarding viva weightage. The student union has criticized the VC for not reducing the weightage of viva set for admission to M. Phil and Ph.D. programmes.

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The weightage of viva was expected to be reduced by the Vice-Chancellor during the Academic Council meeting held on December 23, 2016. JNSU stated that most of the students were in favor of viva weightage reduction however, the VC said that there was no consensus and that the discretion to chance the viva weightage is left with the centers.

Currently, the weightage for entrance exam is 70% whereas that of viva is 30%. JNUSU insists that the weightage should be reduced to 15% for M. Phil and Ph. D. admissions. The Student Union is also not in favor of entrance exam fee hike proposed by Standing Committee of Admissions and preponing the JNU entrance exam. The council has however approved the fee hike.

Other important decisions were also taken by the council that includes the establishment of starting a Disaster Management Studies and appointing a Standing Committee that will enquire about the minority deprivation points and rejection.

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The Council also said declared that the AYUSH fellowship holders will be eligible for admissions and also that the AYUSH degrees can be taken up for consideration by centers. It was also added that AYUSH specific courses will not be started.

The university has also suspended and withdrawn the hostel facilities of eight students on the charge of disrupting an Academic Council (AC) meeting that was scheduled for Monday. Two former students were also involved in these activities. JNU will enquire about the matter and the decision will stand until the matter is sorted out.