Delhi University (DU) has clarified that it has no intention of conducting separate PhD entrance exams similar to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). This statement was made by Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, who emphasised that the university is waiting for directives from the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding the matter.
The uncertainty over PhD admissions emerged after the central government cancelled the UGC NET exam, which has been pivotal for PhD admissions and determining eligibility for teaching positions. The UGC NET exam is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The cancellation of this exam has left a void in the PhD admission process for many universities, including DU.
Vice Chancellor Singh stated, "We have no plans to hold a separate in-house PhD entrance exam. We will follow whatever UGC suggests. We have not received any communication from the NTA and are awaiting their guidance. We expect the academic session for PhD to be delayed by a month." This response came amid speculations about whether DU would initiate its own entrance test following the controversy related to the NTA's UGC NET exam.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had raised concerns about the integrity of the UGC NET exam, leading to its cancellation on June 19. This move has prompted institutions like JNU to consider alternative methods for PhD admissions. JNU is contemplating discontinuing the UGC NET exam for this purpose and reverting to its own in-house entrance test.
Earlier this year, JNU had decided to accept the National Eligibility Test (NET) scores instead of conducting its own entrance exam, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The UGC had issued a notification on March 27, 2024, stating that from the academic session 2024-25, the NET score could be used for PhD admissions in place of entrance tests conducted by various universities and higher education institutions (HEIs). This decision aimed to streamline the admission process and maintain a standardised evaluation method across institutions.
The UGC NET, conducted by the NTA in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode since December 2018, has been essential for determining eligibility for Assistant Professorship and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. The eligibility for JRF or Assistant Professorship depends on the combined performance in Paper-I and Paper-II of the UGC NET.
The recent developments have led to a period of uncertainty for prospective PhD students and universities alike. With DU awaiting further instructions from the UGC and NTA, the academic session for PhD admissions is expected to experience delays.
Institutions are now looking for clear guidance to proceed with their admission processes and ensure that the selection of candidates remains fair and transparent. The resolution of these issues will be crucial for maintaining the academic integrity and operational smoothness of PhD programs across the country.
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