Delhi University teachers and their association have strongly opposed recent inspection rounds conducted by the South Campus director in several colleges. These inspections, carried out on a restricted holiday, are viewed as a direct threat to college autonomy and the university’s federal governance structure.
The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), alongside members of the Executive Council (EC), Finance Committee (FC), and Academic Council (AC), sent an official memorandum to Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh. The document detailed their objections, stating the inspections were not aligned with the university’s statutory framework.
Violation of University Rules
Teachers argue existing university rules clearly assign responsibility for conducting classes to college principals, not university-level officials. Ordinance XVIII specifically entrusts the Principal, in conjunction with the Staff Council, with this duty. Clause 9 (e) of the “Constitution, Rules and Regulations of Governing Bodies of Colleges” further states, “The Principal shall be responsible for the organisation of teaching and co-curricular activities of the College.”
The DUTA and council members stated such inspection rounds undermine the authority of principals. They warned that any follow-up actions based on these inspections would also suffer from similar statutory discrepancies, making them invalid under university law.
Inspections on a Holiday
The inspections occurred on Makar Sankranthi , a restricted holiday in Delhi. This day is a full holiday in nearby states like Uttar Pradesh. Teachers highlighted the unusual timing, noting it coincided with the initial days of the academic reopening, when class timetables were still stabilizing.
They explained that colleges often require time to finalize schedules and ensure all classes are running smoothly at the beginning of a new term. Conducting inspections during this transitional period, and on a holiday, was deemed inappropriate and disruptive.
Systemic Challenges Highlighted
The signatories’ memorandum also brought attention to broader systemic issues facing Delhi University colleges. They cited ongoing faculty shortages and significant infrastructure constraints. These problems have worsened following the expansion of Economically Weaker Section (EWS) admissions and the implementation of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) under the National Educational Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) .
Despite these expansions, colleges have not received adequate funding or support for recruiting new faculty. This lack of resources strains existing staff and infrastructure, complicating the smooth running of academic operations.
Call for Autonomy Preservation
Teachers urged Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh to intervene and safeguard the autonomy of college governance. They cautioned that a “policing approach,” characterized by such unannounced inspections, could severely damage teachers’ morale and trust within the university system.
The memorandum expressed concern that undermining the principals’ authority and imposing top-down inspections would create an environment of distrust. Such an environment could negatively impact the quality of education and the overall functioning of the colleges.
Signatories to the Memorandum
The official memorandum was signed by several key members from various university bodies. Signatories included DU Executive Council (EC), Finance Committee (FC), and Academic Council (AC) members: Rajpal Singh Pawar, JL Gupta, Bimalendu Theerthankar, Mamta Chaudhary, Ramkishore Yadav, Pawan Kumar, TN Ojha, Priyam Barooah, and Dhanraj Meena.