Delhi High Court issues notice to St. Stephen's College, UGC in plea seeking admission only on basis of CUET

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The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to St. Stephen's College, Delhi University and University Grants Commission in a petition praying for the Delhi High Court to allow the Petitioner to take admission into the college on the basis of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET). 

The Petitioner filed a PIL under Article 226 of the Indian Constitution seeking a direction from the court to allow admission in St. Stephen's College's 'unreserved seats' in undergraduate courses only on the basis of the marks received by the student in CUET. 

The Petitioner has claimed that Delhi University's admission policy for academic year 2022-23 on 05.04.2022, specifically mentioned on its last page that admission on the unreserved seats in its minority colleges like St. Stephen's College will be done only on the marks obtained in the CUET, whereas on reserved seats, minority colleges can give 15% weightage to the interview and 85% weightage to the CUET score at the time of admission. 

However, St. Stephen's college has allegedly refused to follow the instructions of the Delhi University, vis a vis, unreserved seats and issued a press release and admission notice stating that the college would conduct interviews for both reserved and unreserved seats and give 15% weightage to interview and 85% weightage to CUET Marks at the time of admission in its undergraduate courses. 

The Petitioner has also alleged that according to various media reports, the Registrar of Delhi University has written to St. Stephen's College warning them that if the college defies the admission police, vis a vis its unreserved seats, the Delhi University would declare such admissions null and void. 

All respondents have been directed to file their affidavits in response to the petition. The matter has been listed on July 4 for further hearing.

Case Title - Konika Poddar v St. Stephen's College