Bottlenecks in implementing CUET in affiliated colleges of Assam Univ; Registrar writes to UGC

April 8: The University Grants Commission (UGC) in March 2022 stated all central universities funded by it will have to use the new Common University Entrance Test (CUET) scores to admit students to undergraduate programmes. Following this, Assam University, Silchar announced that the admission to Under Graduate (UG) and Integrated (IG) courses to be offered by Assam University for the session 2022-2023 will be through admission test to be conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).

However, the UGC in a fresh letter addressed to Vice Chancellors of 45 central universities on 6 April, 2022 stated that all the central universities and their colleges should use only the scores of CUET while admitting the students in UG programmes. This new directive gave rise to confusion regarding the conduct of CUET for admission in the affiliated colleges of Assam University. The dilemma occurred primarily because the affiliated colleges under Assam University are regulated directly by the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Assam; while the affiliating university only regulates the  course curriculum (syllabus) and examination of these affiliated colleges.

In order to get the doubts clarified, Dr PK Nath, Registrar of Assam University wrote a letter to the Secretary of UGC on Thursday, wherein he stated, “Assam Central University has 77 affiliated Colleges. However, the Colleges are regulated by Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Assam and Assam University has almost no control in admission in such colleges. The University only regulates the  course curriculum (syllabus) and examination of these affiliated colleges. Therefore, the Colleges are not bound to abide by advice/direction of the University as the administrative control lies with DHE, Assam.”

The Registrar in his letter to UGC further mentioned that, “Assam University has already participated in CUET 2022 for its on campus Under Graduate Courses and has accordingly complied with all necessities as laid down by NTA. Assam University has also forwarded your letter mentioned above to all affiliated Colleges for information and compliance. However, to ensure participation of Under Graduate Colleges affiliated to Assam University, it would be appropriate to take up the matter with Government of Assam as the Government of Assam is the regulatory authority of such Colleges.”

Finally, the University authorities suggested the UGC to take up this matter with DHE, Assam. “Accordingly, a letter from your end may be issued to Director Higher Education, Government of Assam for necessary action on its part in this regard. Assam University shall be glad to extend necessary support once the Colleges which are under control  of DHE, Assam resolves to participate in CUET 2022,” added the Registrar of the varsity.