Delhi University’s online admission test initiative held its first set of exams for admissions in undergraduate courses on June 17, along with the declaration of the first cut-off list for admissions on June 18.  While the University’s obsession with the online test is rooted in providing every student a ‘fair’ chance at admissions, the outsourcing of the online test by private agencies has caused major hindrances for all those appearing for these examinations.

The unavailability of examination centres in Delhi has been a major bone of contention for students. There were various complaints as students have been assigned distant centers in the NCR region of the capital, with many centers even at the outskirts such as Noida and Faridabad. The time and money spent on giving the exam has not been well received by many students.

Madhurima Kundu, an aspiring MPhil Economics student, mentioned in her status on Facebook, “Firstly, due to unavailability of enough centers in Delhi, centers were given in the outskirt, even beyond Delhi-NCR. Reaching the ccenterson time became a real hassle”.

The exams were conducted in the early hours with students having to reach examination halls as early as 7.

The lack of thought in the entire process and random allotment of centres has made this year’s admissions process restrictive for many students. Students have complained about the examination for their preferred courses being held on the same day but in two different locations with bare minimum time spared for travelling.

The situation has exacerbated with the allotment of distant centres even to students with disabilities. The overlapping of time and date of two exams has automatically constricted the option and accessibility of many such students. The Indian Express quoted Kaushalendra Kumar, a student with visual impairment, “I got my admit card on June 15 and found out that both exams were on the same day”. Kumar had applied for MA (History) and BEd Special Education. The writers for many students like Kumar refused to travel a long distance thereby adding to the problem.

The exams are being conducted by private partner agencies because of which there is an inconsistency in the flow of information between the invigilators on how to conduct the examination. There are no prescribed rules for the centers to follow as a result of which most of the centers are regulating these examinations on their own terms and understanding. Many of these centers have also been charging Rs 10-Rs 20 from each student for safely stacking personal belongings. This unaccounted amount is in addition to the fee of Rs 500, which is to be paid for appearing in the examination.

While the entrance examinations being conducted are restricted to nine different undergraduate courses, there are numerous students who are suffering because of lack of involvement of the university in monitoring the centers. Given the undoubtedly high cut-off lists that come out each year, it is unfair to further limit the options for students. Exams are devised to tackle the problem of high cut-offs and unequal opportunities. However, the execution of these entrance examination is, in fact, creating more deterring conditions and agony for aspirants from across the country.