UGC rejects demand for quota in UG seats for Visva Bharati

UGC has shot down the demand by a section of agitating students of Visva Bharati University for restoration of a quota system for direct admission of the school students of the varsity into its undergraduate courses.

"Visva Bharati approached UGC to consider the demands of the agitators. However, UGC after examining the matter has informed the university that no reservation on domicile or internal reservation is permissible in Central Universities," it said.

Visva Bharati was told that only the "reservation policy strictly as per rules of the government may be followed", HRD Minister Smriti Irani informed Rajya Sabha in a written reply today.
 

Visva Bharati Vice-Chancellor Sushanta Dutta Gupta had abolished the quota system last year, sparking strong protests and demands for its restoration.

Amidst demand for the VC's removal, the university administration had last month restored the quota system for the current academic session.

Students passing out from schools under the varsity used to get an advantage over applicants from other institutions for admission to its undergraduate courses.