Delhi University’s Department of English students concluded a three-day sit-in protest against the newly introduced Continuous Assessment (CA) system. Students report the department implemented CA, a component of the National Education Policy (NEP), without adequate prior notice. This abrupt change significantly increased their academic burden, clashing with existing Internal Assessment (IA) requirements. Head of Department (HoD) Anjana Sharma denied responsibility for modifying the CA process or its deadlines, reportedly calling the students’ protest “outrageous.”
Implementation of Continuous Assessment
HoD Anjana Sharma admitted knowledge of the CA system since September . Despite this, the Department of English introduced it only in the first week of November , following the Autumn break. This timing directly conflicted with students’ ongoing Internal Assessment submission schedules. Students stated the new CA system demanded additional presentations and reports, compounding their workload without sufficient preparation time. This sudden implementation forced students to manage multiple high-stakes assignments concurrently.
Escalation of Student Protest
The protest began peacefully on Monday, November 10 . Students initiated a sit-in demonstration outside the English department. Four hours into the protest, HoD Sharma engaged with students. She expressed sympathy for their situation but “evaded any responsibility towards altering the CA process, and of changing the CA dates.” Her refusal to address their core concerns intensified student resolve.
On November 11 , students escalated their action by blocking the department gate. Later that day, officials informed students that HoD Sharma had taken a two-day leave. This news further angered students, who then blocked both entry and exit points to the department office, preventing staff movement.
Student Demands and Departmental Response
Students formally communicated their demands through an application drafted with the assistance of the Proctor’s office. They sought specific resolutions to alleviate their academic stress:
- Cancellation of all presentations scheduled for November 12 .
- Acceptance of group write-ups as an alternative to individual reports.
- Extension of the final submission deadline for assignments to November 26 , before the conclusion of classes.
Despite the intervention, Prerna Malhotra conveyed the department’s response to a student. HoD Sharma rejected all student demands. The HoD cited the “outrageous” nature of their protest as the reason for the refusal. Students emphasized the difficulty of managing both IA and the suddenly introduced CA. They confirmed their intent to continue protesting until their issues are resolved.
Broader Impact of NEP Changes
The student protests at Delhi University’s English department mirror wider challenges faced by students across the university. Fourth-year students, in particular, are grappling with numerous rule changes, limited academic choices, and reported teacher shortages. These issues stem from the ongoing implementation of the National Education Policy.