JNU Admission Policy: Delhi HC upholds 80% quota in BA (Hons) Foreign languages for freshers

NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court has upheld the admission policy of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to allocate 80% quote in BA (Hons) Foreign Languages for students who passed the Class 12 board exam the same year of seeking admission or the previous year and the remaining 20% quote for the all other applicants.

The high court was hearing a plea filed by a student challenging the validity of Clause 12 of JNU’s admission policy for the academic year 2023-2024. Justice C Hari Shankar who heard the matter said that the criteria “aims to promote fresher talent equipped with the most current knowledge, while still providing opportunities for older students by reserving 20% of the seats for them,” as per reports.

Dismissing the plea, the high court said: “the policy is neither arbitrary nor whimsical, as it serves a logical and beneficial academic purpose.”

The Clause 12 of JNU admission policy reads: “For admission to B.A. (Hons.) First Year 80% of the seats in the First Year of 3 year B.A. (Hons.) programme in the School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies are earmarked for those who have either passed the Senior Secondary School Certificate (10+2) or equivalent examination in the year of admission or in the previous year subject to fulfilling the minimum eligibility requirements. These 80% seat fall under Code I category.”

“Rest of the 20% of seats for admission to B.A. (Hons.) First Year of 3-year B.A. (Hons) programme are open to those who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements. These seats fall under Code-II category.”

This reservation policy has not been changed in the JNU admission criteria 2024-25. Last year, the university also set the minimum age required for admission to BA (Hons) 1st year as 17 years as on October 1 of the year of admission. There is no upper age-limit to apply for this programme.