Indore: To grant 10 per cent reservation to economically backward section, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) is going to increase 25 per cent seats in courses offered by it. That means 25 per cent more students will be able to take admission in university teaching departments from 2019-20 session. Human resource and development ministry had directed institutions of higher learning to increase 25 per cent seats to ensure that 10 per cent reservation recently given to economically backward section does not disturb existing quotas for SC, ST and other backward classes.
In view of that, the university will increase seats in 96 courses, excluding BEd, MTech, MPhil and programmes offered by Institute of Engineering and Technology. DAVV grants admission in its courses through common entrance test. Admissions in 48 courses, mostly professional courses, are granted through common entrance test (CET) which is conducted in 28 cities whereas enrolments in 46 other courses are done through department level entrance exams. Total seats in 96 courses are 4550, including 2653 seats of CET courses and 1897 of non-CET courses. Now, as many as 1138 more seats will be added, which will take total number of vacancies to 5688.
Teacher-student ratio to worsen
The increase in number of seats will worsen the skewed student-teacher ratio at DAVV. More than 210 permanent posts are already vacant at DAVV, which it is trying to fill through contractual teachers. If these posts were not filled and more students are admitted, then teacher-student ratio would be all time high at DAVV.
Rs 25 cr more income from tuition fee
The university generates Rs 100 crore as revenue from course fee. If 25 per cent seats are increased, then revenue from course fee will shoot up by Rs 25 crore giving a major breather to DAVV, which faces Rs 10 crore loss every year. Vice chancellor Dr Narendra Dhakad said if university’s income increases it will appoint permanent faculties also to improve student-teacher ratio.