HRD ministry to DU: Fill up all OBC seats

Updated on: Thursday, July 07, 2011

In a stern message, the HRD ministry has told Delhi University that the present situation of seats for Other Backward Classes not getting filled is due to the confusion regarding cut-off marks and eligibility. In a letter to the university vice-chancellor on Monday, the ministry pointed out that the only eligibility for admission in DU undergraduate courses is clearing class XII board examination. It also asked the university to fill the 27% seats reserved for OBCs without fail.

HRD reiterated its own order of 2008 that was issued after the Supreme Court order and said the instructions were clear and unambiguous. VC Dinesh Singh also met HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Tuesday and agreed with the ministry’s formulation. Sources said that Singh is expected to soon take up the matter with college principals and there could be additional lists in the coming days. So far, four cut-off lists have come out.

The ministry said, “In DU contrary to other universities like JNU, there is no eligibility requirement other than class XII pass. Since there cannot be any eligibility cut-off differential between general and OBC candidates in case of DU, it has to be interpreted in a way different than other universities in order to give effect to the constitutional mandate for ensuring reservations to deprived classes. In case of DU, HRD said, all class XII pass non-creamy layer OBC candidates are eligible and the varsity should admit them to fill 27% seats reserved through interse merit (merit among OBCs).

HRD said that referencing the admission cut-off for OBC to general category cut-off being done by DU goes against the spirit of Central Educational Institutions Act, 2006. "This would lead to diversion of seats meant for OBCs," HRD said.

HRD ministry to DU: Fill up all OBC seats

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