Sports quota admission not to be an easy game this year

Delhi University to appoint expert panel that'll scan students being admitted under the sports and extra-curricular quota

Sports quota admission not to be an easy game this year

Delhi University to appoint expert panel that'll scan students being admitted under the sports and extra-curricular quota

For years, the sports and extra-curricular activities quota has been the mainstay for back-door admissions to the Delhi University (DU).

But that will soon change. The university has decided to appoint an expert panel that will scan all the admissions made under this quota. This may clip the wings of colleges, which exercise their 'discretionary powers' to admit students with recommendation letters under this quota.

All colleges in DU reserve five per cent seats for those with a background in extra-curricular activities or sports.u00a0

"The candidates will be screened through an open and fair process. An expert panel will select the eligible candidates based on their on-spot performance," said Vij.

In an RTI filed by a national-level football player in 2008, it was revealed how he was being denied admission under the sports quota by one of the top-most colleges in DU for someone of lesser merit.

A case in point is Abhishek Chandran, 18, who had applied for admission in the Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) through the sports quota. Eventually, three boys who made it to the final list opted out yet Chandran was denied a seat.

The college endorsed its act by saying that it is upto the college to identify which particular skill is required and not necessarily everyone will get through. The SRCC has five per cent seats for admissions through the sports quota.

"This is a common practice in most colleges. The colleges exercise their discretionary power to admit students who come with recommendation letters. They are not always adjudged on the basis of merit," said a Delhi University professor, requesting anonymity.

According to the university rules, only national champions, junior national champions or state-level players should be given priority under this quota.

Students who have represented their schools at national competitions can also apply under the sports quota. While the extra-curricular activity seats are reserved for applicants proficient in skills like photography, dancing, debating, music, drama and fine arts.

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