The common refrain of many Delhi University colleges is that they are struggling to fill up seats meant for the Other Backward Classes. As per the fourth list, a number of seats were available in Arts and Commerce courses in campus and off-campus colleges. In Science courses too OBC seats were available.
According to Supreme Court rules, colleges can grant a relaxation of up to 10 per cent compared to the general category cut-off to OBC students. As per a university source, despite colleges giving relaxation in term of cut-offs to OBC students, candidates with the requisite percentage are still not available and no college can give relaxation beyond 10 per cent.
Interestingly though, a host of colleges are yet to give an absolute 10 per cent relaxation for many courses. The cut-offs indicate that the relaxation given to the OBC category varies widely from course to course and among colleges.
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Ramjas College warden and the college Political Science Department in-charge Tanvir Aeijaz said: “It is very unfair that the OBC seats are not getting filling up. Colleges are yet to give a 10 per cent relaxation to students; they have given relaxation of only two to four per cent. Colleges have received funds for OBC expansions. Each institute should ensure that all OBC seats are filled.”
A university source said: “Many colleges are not implementing OBC reservations in a proper manner by not granting OBC students the full extent of relief they deserve.”
Deputy Dean of Students' Welfare Gurpreet Singh Tuteja said: “How can colleges give relaxation of 10 per cent at one go? They would have hundreds of students flocking to a very limited number of seats. Campus colleges and other sought after colleges offering “hot” courses cannot grant a large relief immediately or they would be swamped. On the other hand, courses like Sanskrit (Honours) and Hindi ( Honours) are available at considerably lower cut-offs for OBC students. Colleges will reduce the OBC cut-offs in a phased manner as per the available number of seats.”
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A glance at the cut-offs reveals that generally speaking, colleges have given some relief in the first list, and increased it somewhat it in the second list. In the third list, relief has increased considerably while in the fourth list, few colleges have granted the maximum permissible relief of 10 per cent with respect to some courses.
According to Dr. Tuteja, some colleges may have a fifth list for some courses. The same would be announced on the college notice board or applications will be invited from students.
Colleges have time until August 6 to fill up OBC seats after which the unfilled seats will be converted to “open seats” which must be filled by August 16.
Dr. Tuteja stated: “There are times when through condoning of delay by the Vice-Chancellor, a college Principal may allow a student to seek permission from the V-C for admission. Such cases are rather rare and happen if for instance necessary certificates of students are not available. This process must complete by August 31.”
“The college session will begin from July 21,” he added.