PhD Admission Crisis Hits Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya
Hundreds of PhD aspirants at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore are experiencing a deeply frustrating admission cycle. Qualified students who cleared the National Eligibility Test now face a stark reality. They find no available seats in their chosen subjects while large numbers of seats remain completely vacant in other disciplines.
Zero Seats for Qualified Candidates
The situation appears particularly bleak for students applying in History and Political Science. History has 135 registered candidates and Political Science has 123 applicants. Despite these numbers, neither subject offers a single PhD seat this academic year.
Similar disappointment awaits applicants in Physical Education, Yoga, Dance and several language subjects. The university accepted applications for these programs despite having zero intake capacity. This has left many qualified students in limbo.
"For many of us, this means waiting another year or switching subjects altogether," said a Political Science applicant who requested anonymity. "Clearing NET is difficult, and after that there are simply no seats available."
Professional Streams Face Opposite Problem
Meanwhile, students in professional streams confront a completely different challenge. In Management, only 53 eligible candidates are available against 306 seats. This leaves 253 seats likely to remain vacant.
Commerce and Chemistry show the same troubling trend. These subjects have far more seats than NET-qualified applicants. Academic experts explain that many aspirants in these disciplines fail to clear the NET examination. This makes them ineligible for PhD admission despite showing strong interest in research.
University Explains Admission Process
Dr Ashesh Tiwari, chairman of the PhD Cell at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, clarified the university's position. "PhD admissions are being conducted strictly as per UGC norms," he stated. "The imbalance between seats and applicants in certain subjects is directly linked to NET eligibility and approved intake capacity."
Dr Tiwari further explained the university's plan moving forward. "Vacant seats will be reopened in the next admission cycle in six months. Selection in high-demand subjects will proceed through a completely transparent interview process."
Experts Analyze the Gap
Education experts say this admission gap reflects changing academic priorities and eligibility rules. Under current UGC norms, NET qualification became essential for PhD entry. However, preparation levels and success rates vary sharply across different academic disciplines.
For students in subjects where seats do exist, competition remains extremely intense. With 770 candidates competing for 600 non-DET seats, Research Advisory Committee interviews will play a decisive role. Securing a research guide's consent has become absolutely crucial for admission success.
The current admission cycle highlights significant structural challenges in India's higher education system. It reveals how uniform eligibility requirements create uneven outcomes across different academic fields.
