Jamia Millia Islamia’s PhD admission policy violating Muslim quota, alleges student group, DISSC

NEW DELHI: The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is not adhering to its reservation policy in PhD admissions for the 2024-2025 academic session, alleges Dayar I Shauq Students' Charter (DISSC). According to the student group DISSC, several departments and centers at JMI are not allocating enough seats for Muslim candidates under the reserved categories.

Referring to amendments in JMI reservation policies, DISSC pointed to a series of changes in the PhD admission ordinance. The group highlighted a December 30, 2021 notification by the registrar, which communicated a decision regarding modifications to the ordinance.

The students group further cited an October 24, 2024 addendum, which initially mandated departments and centers to align with JMI’s reservation policies. However, as per DISSC a November 12, 2024 addendum allegedly removed references to these policies, leading to what DISSC described as 'unclear' and 'discretionary' changes in reservation procedures.

JMI Reservation Policy: Alleged discrepancies in admission data

The students organisation claims that the admission records indicate a mismatch from JMI ’s stated 50% reservation policy (30% for Muslims, 10% for Muslim women, and 10% for Muslim OBCs/STs). Citing publicly available, the DISSC highlighted:

• AJK mass communication research centre: 1 Muslim student admitted out of 4.

• Centre for culture, media, and governance: 1 Muslim student out of 7.

• Department of applied sciences and humanities (Applied Mathematics): No Muslim students admitted.

• Department of English: 12 Muslim students out of 27.

• Department of history and culture: 2 Muslim students out of 10.

According to the students organisation, these numbers do not reflect the JMI’s reservation policy. "The agenda of weakening reservation has entered JMI in a secretive and clear way. JMI has been declared to be a Minority educational Institution within the meaning of Art 30 of the Constitution of India, " said DISSC

Also read Muslim students’ enrolment in higher education dips: AISHE Analysis

EWS quota in JMI

The students group also alleged that there is an attempt to 'impose' the Economically Weaker Sections ( EWS ) quota in JMI’s admissions, despite the institution’s minority status. The student group stated, "There are attempts to impose EWS reservation which is not applicable to University because of its unique position as a minority education institution. This was decided by the Academic Council way back when EWS as a system of reservation was introduced nationally."

JMI: DISSC demands restoration of previous reservation policy

The student group has demanded the reinstatement of the previous reservation policy and the proper implementation of Muslim reservations in PhD admissions. “The Muslim minority has a right to administer its educational institutions as per constitutional provisions. This right cannot be eroded by hostile and fascistic motives,” DISSC stated.