Delays in the admission process for undergraduate seats in Central universities in Delhi amid disruptions in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and alleged irregularities in the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system have left aspirants anxious about their future. Many such students told The Hindu that they have taken admissions in private colleges and State universities, where the process has already begun.

Meanwhile, teachers’ groups in Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have criticised centralised testing systems such as CUET for delaying academic calendars.

‘Wanted to study at DU’

Garima (name changed on request), a private school student in Delhi who has been a topper throughout, was disappointed on seeing her CBSE Class 12 results. Now awaiting her re-evaluated marks, she said, “I had dreams of studying economics at a top Delhi University college. But I will only know whether I can make it after I see the re-evaluated marks.”

To secure her future, she has taken admission at a private university in Maharashtra, even as her dream of studying at DU remains alive. However, opting for Plan B comes at a price.

“I have already paid the fees. It is refundable, but after deductions. For instance, if I cancel my admission before July 15, they will deduct 10% of the fees paid, amounting to ₹22,000. After that, the deductions will increase,” said Ms. Garima.

However, this option is not open to all students. Many said that despite doing well in internal examinations, they had failed in some subjects, which has made them ineligible for many colleges.

Short of options

A student from Bhubaneswar said she dreamt of pursuing graduation from DU. “However, I scored quite low in several subjects, even as I tallied my responses with the answer key and found many answers to be the same.”

She has now decided to attend a State university, saying not all colleges will wait for the CBSE to issue revised score sheets.

Akash Kumar, 18, from Patna, who appeared for CUET in Noida last month and again after it was rescheduled on June 7, has decided not to apply anywhere else until admissions begin at the universities of his choice, including JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia. “The retest went okay, but the cancellation was very stressful. Now, I am waiting for CUET results and my preferred colleges.”

Impact on academics

DU teachers said that since 2022, when CUET was made mandatory for admissions, they have noted delays in the admission process, which in turn push back the academic calendar and increase the workload for teachers and students.

Abha Dev Habib, a professor at Miranda House, said that in the past, admissions would be over by July for students on the first, second, and third lists.

“In the last few years, classes have begun with students who have been allocated seats in the first round. Students who enter subsequent rounds miss classes and other activities in the first month. It takes about 1.5 to 2 months for all the students to settle in. If classes start and end on time, students would not have to lose out on teaching time.”

(With inputs by Anisha Jyotirmayee)