UGC Opposes Plea Challenging DU's Decision to Admit Students into 5-year Law Courses Based on CLAT scores; Check Details Here

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed the Delhi High Court the Five-Year Integrated Law course is a “professional degree programme” which may require different yardsticks to select students for admission.

UGC Opposes Plea Challenging DU's Decision to Admit Students into 5-year Law Courses Based on CLAT scores; Check Details Here

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has come out in support of Delhi University's (DU) decision to admit students into its 5-year integrated law programs based on the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) scores.

Seeking “dismissal” of the plea, the affidavit stated that, CLAT is a centralized national-level entrance test for admission to Law programs” which is adopted by the premier National Law Universities in India for admission of students to Law courses.

The affidavit stated “DU with the approval of its Academic Council and Executive Council has resolved to admit students in its Five-Year Integrated Law courses through CLAT, a centralized national-level entrance test. It may be pertinent to mention here that the Five-Year Integrated Law program is a professional degree program, and different yardsticks in terms of assessment/evaluation may be required to select students for admission in this professional degree program,”

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The center also stated that the admission standards for professional courses are designed by a specialized nature and specific skill sets are required for these programs and are influenced by the specific prerequisites of each course.

The affidavit refers to NEP 2020 to express its vision for governing higher education institutes by “highly qualified independent Boards having academic and administrative autonomy”.

“University of Delhi is a Statutory Body and is one of the premier Higher Educational Institutions/Central Universities having autonomous status in the management of its day-to-day affairs. The admission to its various professional courses and programs are governed by the University’s own Statute/Rules/Regulations/Ordinances/Notifications,” the Centre’s affidavit states while also seeking dismissal of the plea.

As per its August 25, 2023 order, HC noted the submission of the counsel appearing for the UGC who “categorically” said it is “mandatory for all central universities to stick to the CUET for admission to UG/PG programs”. On this HC has asked UGC and the Union of India to file a detailed counter affidavit.

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According to the DUs notification, it stated that DU started the “Five-Year Integrated Law Courses – BA LLB(Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons)” – from the academic year 2023-2024.

It also added “The Bar Council of India in its letter dated 26.07.2023 has accorded its approval of 60 seats for BA LLB (Hons) and 60 seats for BBA LLB (Hons). Admission to BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons) shall be based on merit in the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) UG 2023 result. The classes for BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons) courses will be held at the Faculty of Law, Kanad Bhawan, North Campus, University of Delhi. The online application for admission to BA LLB (Hons) and BBA LLB (Hons) courses will be announced by the University soon.’’

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