The University of Delhi (DU) has stated to the Delhi High Court that the institution will not accept admission for the freshly introduced five-year integrated law course based on marks obtained in Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Instead, admission is based on Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2023.
Decision & Statement by Bench
DU was represented by Advocate Mohinder Rupal, who gave his word to the Bench after criticism was drawn for the University’s decision to prioritize CLAT marks instead of CUET scores for providing admission to five-year integrated law courses.
The Bench consisted of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula stated,
“You are not special… There is a national policy. If 18 other central universities are relying on the CUET scores for admissions, why is DU not doing the same?”
Work After Judgement
Mr. Rupal assured the court that a special committee is formed to address this issue and added that the report is presented before the Executive Council and Academic Council of Delhi University.
A Challenge to DU’s Decision
He asked the Bench to provide a week to deliver University’s response. The court gave over for the next hearing to be held on 25 August 2023. The Bench further added that in the next hearing if the response is not presented in front of the court then the case will be heard on the issue of accord of interim relief.
The Bench further granted the Central government counsel to file a response and seek instruction for this matter.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against DU’s decision was filed in court. It was filled by Prince Singh, DU’s Faculty Law student, proposing that CUET scores should be considered for admission.
It was argued that University Grants Commission (UGC) said central universities should provide admission for undergraduate courses based on marks secured in CUET. Admission for all other courses is provided based on CUET score, the five-year integrated law course at DU will consider CLAT score.
The plea stated that
“It is worth nothing here that the CUET is more inclusive, more diverse, and in tune with the mandate of the National Educational Policy.”
The point that CUET is conducted in several languages and CLAT is conducted in English language only, was pointed out in the hearing.
