Low Admissions in Government Colleges Under NEP 2020 in Daltonganj Raise Concerns
Admissions to the first year of the four-year degree course under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for the session 2025-29 have remained disappointingly low in government degree colleges affiliated with Nilamber Pitamber University in Daltonganj, according to university sources. This trend highlights significant challenges in implementing the new education policy at the grassroots level in Jharkhand.
Alarming Admission Figures in Government Institutions
Among the 24 degree colleges affiliated with the university, several government colleges recorded shockingly low admission numbers. Govt Mahila Degree College at Dharampur in Latehar district managed to enroll only 46 students for the 2025-29 session, representing one of the poorest performances. Two additional government degree colleges recorded fewer than 100 admissions each, with Govt Model Degree College, Garhwa admitting 96 students and Govt Degree College at Chhaterpur enrolling 97 students.
The situation showed slight improvement at Govt Degree College at Hussainabad, which recorded 166 admissions for the same session. However, this figure remains concerning when compared to the national and state averages for higher education enrollment.
Stark Contrast with Older Affiliated Colleges
In sharp contrast to the struggling government colleges, older affiliated institutions reported what university sources described as an "overstock of admissions." These colleges demonstrated robust enrollment numbers that far exceeded their government counterparts:
- SSJN College, Garhwa: 1,890 admissions
- BS College, Latehar: 1,280 admissions
- GCP Agrawal College, Chhaterpur: 2,964 admissions
- AK Singh College, Hussainabad: 2,190 admissions
This disparity raises serious questions about the attractiveness and competitiveness of government degree colleges in the region, particularly under the new NEP framework.
Jharkhand's Educational Challenges in Perspective
The admission struggles occur against the backdrop of Jharkhand's already concerning higher education metrics. According to the All India Survey of Higher Education for 2021-22, Jharkhand's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) stands at just 18.6%, significantly below the national average of 28.4%. Even more troubling, the state's GER is 4% lower than that of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, indicating substantial room for improvement in educational access and participation.
University Leadership Expresses Concern
University Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Kumar Singh expressed deep concern about the admission disparities. "There should be equity in admissions," he stated. "It's 46, 96, 97 in government degree colleges, while the old affiliated colleges are overflowing with admissions."
The VC highlighted the financial implications of these low admissions, noting that the university spends a sizeable amount on security, maintenance, and remuneration for teachers and staff at these government colleges. He described the poor intake as "no less than a huge burden on the university," suggesting that continued low enrollment could strain institutional resources.
Addressing Concerns About Admission Procedures
When questioned about complaints from older affiliated colleges regarding access to the Chancellor's Portal for admissions, VC Singh clarified the university's position. Some older institutions had raised objections, claiming the university blocked their access to the portal while newer government colleges had exclusive access during the same period.
"It's not an issue," Singh responded. "If the Lok Bhavan asks for the admission window to be opened again, the university will comply with it." He defended the decision to provide government colleges with exclusive portal access, arguing that without this advantage, these institutions would likely be in an even worse position regarding admissions.
The admission trends in Daltonganj's government colleges under NEP 2020 reveal significant implementation challenges that require urgent attention from educational authorities. As Jharkhand works to improve its GER and educational outcomes, addressing these enrollment disparities between different types of institutions will be crucial for creating a more equitable and effective higher education system in the state.
