Decision Follows Rapid Student Mobilization

Delhi University has officially withdrawn its controversial notification regarding Hindi PhD admissions. The reversal comes in the wake of robust student protests and sharp objections raised over an unfeasibly short preparation window and the restricted number of candidates shortlisted for the selection process.

The initial notification, issued on the evening of October 27, had slated interviews to begin on the very next morning, October 28. This left prospective applicants scrambling with less than 24 hours to organize travel arrangements and academic documentation. Consequently, the Hindi department was forced to cancel interview sessions scheduled across multiple dates, including October 28, 29, 30, 31, and November 2, keeping them suspended until further orders.

Core Demands from Student Bodies

Student organizations, notably the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU), spearheaded the agitation on campus. Representatives argued that despite more than 150 seats being vacant, the university had inexplicably called an inadequate number of applicants for the interview round.

Akshay Pratap Singh, secretary of ABVP Delhi University, stated that the organization would maintain pressure on the administration to ensure absolute transparency and equity. Student groups have pressed for several key modifications:

* Universal Interview Opportunity: Demanding that all applicants who successfully applied for the PhD program be granted an opportunity to appear for interviews. * Equitable Representation: Calling for fair and balanced representation of candidates who qualified through the National Eligibility Test (NET) alongside those applying under the 'Only for PhD' category. * Reasonable Notice Period: Insisting on a substantial buffer time between the publication of shortlisted candidates and interview dates to accommodate outstation applicants.

Current Status and Next Steps

While the immediate interview schedule has been nullified, university officials clarified that the broader PhD admission process has not been canceled entirely. However, the administration has yet to issue a detailed explanation for the abrupt withdrawal or outline the specific criteria that will govern the revised selection round.

Prospective candidates are advised to monitor official university portals closely for upcoming announcements rather than attempting travel based on informal updates. The revised notification is anticipated to clarify both the updated timeline and the criteria for shortlisting applicants.