A committee appointed by the Delhi government to investigate complaints regarding the functioning of the Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) has uncovered that diploma and degree programmes were "merged, discontinued, revived and upgraded without mandatory statutory approvals." These findings are central to long-standing allegations by faculty and students that academic restructuring at the university has been arbitrary and poorly governed.
Committee's First Report
The observations are part of the committee's first report, which is expected to be submitted to the Delhi government. They come amid years of controversy surrounding DSEU, a flagship institution launched in 2020. The university was established with the stated aim of expanding affordable skill-based and employment-oriented education by consolidating Delhi's government polytechnics, technical institutes, and skill centres under a single university framework.
However, the merger has remained contentious. Faculty members from former government polytechnics have repeatedly questioned the rationalisation, closure, and introduction of diploma programmes. They argue that frequent restructuring has affected student intake and undermined the traditional role of polytechnic education as an affordable pathway to employment for students from economically weaker backgrounds.
The committee was constituted in December last year following repeated complaints alleging malpractice and governance lapses in the university's functioning. Among other issues, it was tasked with examining the impact of merging government polytechnics and technical institutions with DSEU.
Significant Irregularities
In its report, the committee identified what it termed "significant irregularities and procedural deficiencies" in academic governance. It found that several diploma programmes were merged into consolidated courses without being placed before the Academic Council, as required under the DSEU Act. It also noted that some programmes were discontinued and later revived without documented justification, while others were upgraded from diploma to degree programmes without prior approval from the Academic Council.
Among the other major concerns flagged by the panel was the alleged non-implementation of tuition fee waivers for SC/ST students in accordance with government policy. The committee also noted that fee levels at DSEU were substantially higher than those charged by the erstwhile government polytechnics that now form part of the university.
Admissions and Intake Issues
The report further pointed to admissions exceeding approved intake capacities in certain diploma programmes. It also found that intake capacities of programmes had been increased or reduced across academic years without evidence of mandatory statutory approvals.
The panel additionally flagged changes in programme nomenclature, stating that course titles inherited from the erstwhile Board of Technical Education were altered without adequate academic deliberation or clear justification. This could potentially create confusion among students, employers, and other stakeholders.
Infrastructure and Staffing Concerns
The committee also raised concerns over infrastructure and staffing. It noted that certain newly introduced or upgraded programmes lacked adequate laboratory facilities and qualified faculty. It further questioned the discontinuation of entrance examinations for diploma and postgraduate admissions in later years, citing the absence of a clearly recorded policy rationale.
In February, TOI reported that five years after its launch, DSEU had witnessed a sharp decline in student intake alongside seat closures, including the elimination of all 802 girls-only diploma seats. The university has also witnessed protests and representations from students and faculty over fee-related issues and administrative decisions in recent years.
Preliminary Observations
A committee member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the panel's observations so far were based on records furnished by the university. "These are preliminary observations based on the information made available to us. Additional information has been sought, following which the committee will finalise its recommendations and submit its report to the authorities," the member told TOI.
The committee noted that information furnished by DSEU during the inquiry was often "vague" and incomplete and has sought additional records from both the university and the Department of Training and Technical Education.
DSEU Vice-Chancellor Ashok Nagawat said the university was unaware of any final observations made by the committee. "We have ensured compliance with all provisions relating to admissions and the launch of programmes from the 2024-25 academic session onwards," he added.
