Delhi High Court: UGC should tell whether CUET is mandatory for 5-year law degree in Central Universities or not

The Delhi High Court has asked the UGC to file an affidavit clarifying whether CUET is mandatory for admission to 5-year law degree courses in central universities, after its two top officials took different views on the issue. Had revealed. The order of a bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma came on a plea against Delhi University's (DU) decision to admit students to the course only on the basis of CLAT-UG 2023 instead of CUET.

The court, in its order issued on Wednesday, said that on the one hand, the letter issued by the Joint Secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC) "clearly stated that CUET was mandatory for admission to all undergraduate programs in all central universities." An affidavit filed by the UGC Under Secretary in response said that DU can admit students to the 5-year law course through CLAT.

The bench also included Justice Sanjiv Narula in its September 12 order, which said "Let the Chairman of the UGC file an affidavit clearly stating that in the matter of granting admission to all Central Universities under-graduate five Whether CUET is mandatory for one-year law degree course or not. It should be done positively within three days."

The court also directed DU to explain whether admissions to the integrated law course will be done on the basis of CLAT only this year or whether the same pattern will be followed in subsequent years. The court said "Even if, the present sanction is only for one year, the University has to clarify its stand on the mode of examination i.e. CUET or CLAT for admission to the five-year law degree course for the next academic year in case of such sanction.

The court listed the matter for hearing on September 18 and requested Additional Solicitor General of India Chetan Sharma to assist in the case. In its affidavit, the UGC, the apex body tasked with funding and maintaining standards of higher education institutions, has told the court that the 5-year law course is a professional degree program with different criteria to select students for admission. Different criteria may be required.