Delhi University Reverses Marksheet Correction Fee Hike Amid Opposition

New Delhi: Delhi University announced on Friday that it would roll back the recently increased fees for making corrections to marksheets and degree certificates after facing objections from Academic Council members, according to an official statement. Last month, Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh had approved a fee hike from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for corrections within six years of graduation and from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 for corrections beyond six years.

The action taken report regarding the fee hike, along with other items, was presented to the Academic Council to inform them of the proposals previously passed by the Vice-Chancellor using his special powers. Due to the opposition from the council members, the administration had to amend the approved proposal.

In addition to the fee rollback, the council approved several proposals. These included introducing courses for LLB students at the Faculty of Law on the three new criminal laws that came into effect on July 1, a BA (Hons) program in Russian Language, and allowing students to pursue two degrees simultaneously. A proposal to establish a Dr. BR Ambedkar Chair at the university has been sent to the UGC for approval.

The council also approved the introduction of six elective papers at the Centre for Hindu Studies: 'Introduction to Vedic Literature,' 'Upanishad Parichaya,' 'Dharma and Religion,' 'Hindu Thinkers,' 'Bhagavad Gita for Humanity,' and 'Purana Parichaya.' These proposals were passed during the 1018th meeting of the Delhi University Academic Council held on Friday.

During the meeting, a BA program in Russian Language under the Department of Slavonic and Finno-Ugrian Studies, Faculty of Arts, was approved for undergraduate students starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. "This is the first time in DU that the Russian program has been included at the UG level. Previously, it was only taught at the PG level," the vice-chancellor said. The course curriculum for the program was passed with minor modifications based on recommendations from the Faculty of Arts and will be implemented in the 2024-2025 academic year.

The council also approved the Department of Anthropology's recommendation to amend regulations allowing MSc Forensic Science students to visit crime scenes through police stations. Additionally, the provision for students to obtain two degrees simultaneously was passed. Under this provision, one degree can be pursued in regular mode at the university's colleges/departments, and the other in open and distance learning mode at the School of Open Learning, Campus of Open Learning.

(with PTI inputs)