Delhi University (DU) has provided assurance to the Delhi High Court that it will refrain from soliciting applications for its recently introduced five-year integrated law programs, pending the ongoing challenge to its choice of using Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2023 scores as the basis for admission to these courses.
Advocate Mohinder S Rupal, representing DU, conveyed this assurance after the Bench criticized the University's decision to prioritize CLAT scores over Common University Entrance Test (CUET) scores for admission into the five-year law programs.
In the presence of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula, a Division Bench commented,
"The principle of uniformity prevails... A nationwide policy exists. If 18 other central universities are adhering to CUET scores for admissions, then why is DU taking a different route?"
Rupal informed the Court that a dedicated committee, established to deliberate on the matter, recommended the adoption of CLAT scores. He also confirmed that the committee's findings were presented before DU's Academic Council and Executive Council.
He respectfully requested the Court for a one-week extension to prepare the University's response to the issue.
In response, the Bench scheduled further deliberations on August 25, emphasizing that if the response is not submitted by that date, the Court will address the matter of interim relief.
Furthermore, the Court granted permission for the Central government counsel to obtain instructions and present a response in this context.
This legal proceeding stemmed from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging DU's decision to utilize CLAT 2023 scores as the basis for admission into its five-year integrated law programs.
Prince Singh, a student at DU's Faculty of Law, asserted that the University should enforce the use of CUET scores for admissions.
The argument put forth highlights that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has mandated that all central universities must conduct their undergraduate admission processes following the CUET guidelines. Despite CUET being employed for admissions in all other disciplines, DU has chosen to employ CLAT scores for its five-year law programs.
This, the plea contended, has created a distinct and exclusive category of students eligible for admission to the five-year programs at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.
Furthermore, it is noteworthy that while CUET is administered in multiple languages, CLAT is exclusively conducted in English.
TAGS: Delhi University Delhi High Court five-year integrated law courses Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2023 scores Common University Entrance Test (CUET) admission Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma Justice Sanjeev Narula uniformity central universities committee Academic Council Executive Council response interim relief Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Prince Singh Faculty of Law University Grants Commission (UGC) undergraduate admission processes exclusive category multiple languages English.
