New Delhi: Delhi High Court has directed St Stephen's College not to conduct interviews for non-minority communities for admission to undergraduate programs. The court further commanded it to comply with Delhi University's directives by withdrawing the admission prospectus. 

Referring to the admission to UG courses at St. Stephen's College, the Delhi High Court’s division bench said, "The petitioner college shall abide by the directive that 100% weightage must be given to CUET 2022 for UG admission for non-minority category candidates”.

Delhi University and St Stephen's have been at odds over the minority institution's insistence on using interviews for UG admissions to its general seats. The college stated that it would give CUET an 85% and interview a 15% weightage for the admission process.

The court stated that the fundamental right granted to a minority institution under Article 30(1) of the Indian Constitution cannot be applied to non-minority members. The state may create regulations regarding the administration of minority institutions.

The regulations shall be created as long as they serve to advance the interests of the minority community. The protection under Article 30(1) could be extended to an extent that ensures that it permits minority institutions to subclassify the reservation given to the minority community. 

"The aided minority educational institutions that are affiliated with the university must follow the norms and procedure of the said university," the court added. It disregarded DU’s statement, which insisted on a single merit list for UG admission of candidates from Christian community. 

Despite any denominations, sub-sects, or sub-categories within the Christian community, it stated, "The respondent no.1 [DU] cannot insist upon a single merit list for admission of applicants belonging to the Christian community."

Earlier, the Delhi University issued a notice to St Stephen's College to not hold an interview for admission to its undergraduate courses. The notice further directed the college admission authority to comply with the admission protocol and guidelines released by the university. 

The university also went to seek legal opinion on St Stephen UG Admission 2022 protocol, which states that admission of candidates will be done on the basis of both CUET UG 2022 and Interview process scores. 

Also Read:

• Delhi University to Launch UG Admission Portal on September 12; Check Details Here
• DU Admissions 2022: New academic session for first-year students to begin around October 20

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