File Photo: Delhi University
The centralised fitness trials for admission to Delhi University's undergraduate courses through sports quota will begin tomorrow, with the varsity taking strict measures to avoid any "bias" and "ensure transparency" in the selection procedure.
Last year, the Hindu College had scrapped the extracurricular activities (ECA) trials following complaints of admission process being 'biased' and 'fraught' with malpractices.
To avoid any such hiccups this year, the varsity has revamped its policy for sports quota admissions.
While it has decided to make the process centralised and conduct a common cfitness test followed by sport-specific trials at the respective colleges, experts including Dronacharya and Arjuna awardees have been roped in to assess the candidates.
"The common fitness trial will begin tomorrow at the DU polo ground and will continue till June 20. The candidates can drop in on any of the days and appear for the trials, the results of which will be declared on the varsity website on June 22," Anil Kumar Kalkal, Secretary, DU Sports Council said.
The fitness test, which is only a qualifying one, holds no weightage in the final marks. While 50 marks are allotted for trials, the remaining 50 are for the certificates.
Students will have to qualify either the two 50-m runs for endurance or the 1,000-m run or walk (candidates' choice) and 'standing broad jump' in the fitness test.
However, for archery, chess and shooting, candidates need to qualify for only one of the three tests.
"To avoid any complaints of bias and ensure transparency, the entire process will be videotaped. This time, a photo finish camera will be used during the fitness test. An international technology that can capture up to 10,000 frames in one second on the finish line will be used during the 50-metres run of the endurance test," Mr Kalkal said.
DU reserves five per cent seats in all colleges under the sports and extra-curricular quota.
"We have roped in Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees for the experts' panel for the sports quota admission trials. These awardees have been invited according to expertise in the particular sport.
"It is unfair for the students if they are not judged by an authentic expert, so we have decided have them on the panel," Mr Kalkal, said, adding, the identity of the experts will be kept secret till the day of trials to avoid any scope of bias.
Unlike previous years, the students will no longer have to wait for the fitness certificate. The university will upload the list of qualified and unsuccessful candidates on the website and a hard copy will be sent to the colleges. The fitness certificate will have a photograph of the candidate to ensure they do not cheat.
The varsity has put a three-tiered grievance committee and candidates who aren't satisfied with the results can raise their case before the panel.
DU also has a provision for direct admission for those who have represented the country in the Olympic Games, world championships, Commonwealth Games, Paralympics and Asia championships. They are exempted from the trials.