The Delhi High court on 9th July ordered Delhi University to file counter-affidavit by 10th July regarding the issue of Choice Based Credit System and has also asked them whether they were willing to shift to annual-mode examination for the academic year 2019-2020. The court has also extended the date for submission of online exam sheets (which was earlier 11th July) till further order.
Facts of the case
Delhi University, School of Open learning, used to have annual examinations at the end of the academic year till last year. But after that, they introduced the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). However, the system was introduced after admission had taken place for the year 2019-2020. The petitioners stated that there were various discrepancies in this system. The petition came in response to the university notification of 4th June to conduct online examinations.
Petitioner’s contention
The petitioner contended that the syllabus for the various subjects and the course material, which has to be supplied in hard copies, was not made available to the students. Furthermore, it was claimed that the course material that was provided was deficient and the same was brought before the court and the court ordered for conducting the examination in May-June 2020 and also asked to make material available for students. By relying on this fact, he said that DU had no preparation since the inception and is still underprepared.
The counsel further stated the UGC regulation of 2017 that described the standard to be maintained while preparing course material. The counsel also submitted the contention of the 4 people of the committee who rejected the CBCS. He stated the email of the Secretary of the SOL Staff Council which acknowledged the difficulties faced by students. Lastly, he relied on minutes of Staff council meetings which said that at least one year would be required for the purpose of preparation of the semester system course material. While stating all these issues, he concluded that students were not in a position to give the examinations.
In response, the counsel for respondents said that the counter-affidavit shall be filed by 10th July 2020.
Court order
The court thus ordered the Director of SOL to file counter-affidavit by 10th July regarding the date when the material was dispatched, dates when the rectified course material for the first semester was uploaded online, and other related issues. It also asked DU to submit the report of the committee established for curing defects in the material by 10th July 2020. Lastly, it asked DU to revert with instruction whether they are willing to shift to annual-mode examination for the academic year 2019-20 and introduce the CBCS after adequate preparations.
Case:- W.P.(C) 1879/2020
Petitioner:- MANISH & ORS.
Counsel for Petitioners:- Mr. Siddharth Seem and Mr. Arun Kasi, Advocates
Respondent:- THE UNIVERSITY OF DELHI THROUGH ITS VICE CHANCELLOR & ORS.
Counsel for Respondents:- Mr. Mohinder Rupal and Mr. Hardik Rupal, Advocates for DU.
Mr. Apoorv Kurup, Ms. Nidhi Mittal and Mr. Siddharth Nigotia, Advocates for R-3
Judge:- JUSTICE PRATHIBA M. SINGH
Read Order @LatestLaws.com
