Janus Speaks

Delhi: Students' nightmare.

The model code of conduct in effect because of impending Assembly elections in India has led to a momentary hiatus in pursuing the OBC quota in Central Universities. While a lot of debate is going on about the ill-effects it will have on the student quality at IITs and IIMs, let us take a moment to think beyond IITs and IIMs.

Though there is no gainsaying the fact that IITs and IIMs have bought India a global recognition which only IT/ITES can said to have equaled. But, I personally feel that a far greater casualty of this quota system will be the universities like 'Delhi University'. Delhi university is also a central university and unlike the universities of Bombay, Chennai or Kolkatta which are either state universities or have reservation for students domiciled in that state.

Delhi University or DU is the only lifeline for the students of Delhi. There is already a great mismatch between the number of seats and applications for admission in DU. Students of Delhi do not enjoy the privileges enjoyed by their counterparts in Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkatta. They have to compete with students from all over India to secure a seat in a college of their choice. I am appalled to think of the situation of students in Delhi seeking admission in college when a further 27% seats will be reserved for OBC category.

Of the 9,000-odd SC/ST seats at stake in Delhi University, about 20% (nearly 2,000 seats) remain vacant every year. Add to that about 1,000 of the 1,300 seats reserved for physically challenged that are never occupied, and nearly 3,000 students lose out on a chance to be part of the university.
(Source: Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1485488.cms)

With further reservations, the only way forward is more vacant seats, and more deserving candidates either joining some second rung university which might not do justice to their abilities or simply dropping out.

After all, you are not increasing the number of seats but only the probability of admission for one class of society at the cost of another. I hope our politician do amend the constitution some 50 years down the line to include more castes under OBC. That is because by that time many people from 'General' category would be forced to become Backward because of whims and fancies of the 'chosen' few.

posted by Janus @ 2:16 AM