DU students protest sudden change in research methodology course evaluation
New Delhi: Third-year undergraduate students enrolled in the research methodology discipline-specific elective (DSE) under the English department at Delhi University have voiced frustration over a sudden and unexpected change in their course evaluation method.
However, department officials stated that students would be given the option to choose their preferred date to appear for the exam.
According to the students, originally, they were informed that their assessment would be research-based, requiring the submission of a 1,500-word research proposal and a 2,500-word research paper. This evaluation method was formally confirmed by the department on April 24. "Since then, students were engaged in extensive reading, writing, and research work under faculty supervision — efforts that involved several weeks of consistent academic labour," a student said.
Another student said, "However, on May 24, just days before the submission deadline, the department abruptly issued a new directive via email, announcing a shift to a 90-mark offline exam scheduled for June 2. Students have been given less than 48 hours to prepare for the exam, following the completion of other major assessments, discipline-specific core papers on May 28 and skill enhancement course exams on May 30.
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In response to student outcry, university officials have stated that efforts are being made to minimise disruption. "The department has issued a notice offering students two options for the exam date: either June 21 or in Dec, in order to provide flexibility," a department official said.
Despite this, students are demanding an immediate rollback of the decision. They are calling for a one-time exemption this semester, requesting that the original research-based evaluation be reinstated.
Additionally, they are seeking clarity on why concerns raised by several faculty members in April, regarding the importance of maintaining consistency in evaluation were ignored. The students have described the shift as "unfair and procedurally unsound," urging the department and the university administration to act with "urgency, empathy, and respect for academic integrity.
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On Monday, Students' Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest outside the office of the dean of examinations and submitted a memorandum condemning what they termed the "arbitrary and last-minute decision" by the English department. "The dean's office refused to take accountability, dismissing the matter as an internal issue of the department," said Deevya, a member of the delegation. "This kind of mismanagement has been consistent since the implementation of the NEP-based four-year undergraduate programme," added Noel, SFI vice president.
"There has been ongoing confusion around the curriculum, coursework, and examination procedures."
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