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Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Drop in women joining Delhi University for undergrad courses after CUET
The number of women joining Delhi University (DU) for undergraduate courses has dipped since the introduction of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2022, data shows. In 2021, a year before the centralised test was introduced, 54,818 women took admission in the various undergraduate courses that DU offers. This dipped to 34,120 in 2022. Over the next two years, the numbers rose slightly to 36,039 in 2023 and 38,096 in 2024, but are well short of the pre-CUET figures. Before the centralised test was introduced, DU admitted students on the basis of Class XII Board exam results, through cut-off lists. All students who met the cut-off had to be admitted irrespective of the number of seats on offer. After CUET, the shift in the gender ratio has been stark (see box) – with women in the undergraduate cohort comprising 61.44% of the strength in 2021 to 54.09% in 2024. The university also saw a drop in overall undergraduate admissions in the first year of CUET — from over 75,000 in 2018 to over 64,000 students in 2022 — before increasing slightly to over 68,000 in 2023 and over 70,000 in 2024. Between 2019 and 2021, data from DU shows a consistent trend of high female participation in undergraduate admissions, often surpassing or closely matching male applicants. In 2019, 1.29 lakh women applied to the university against 1.28 lakh men. In 2020, within the unreserved category alone, 1.16 lakh women candidates applied, outnumbering the 1.05 lakh male applicants. This pattern strengthened further in 2021 – the last admission cycle before CUET was introduced – when DU received 1.49 lakh applications from women versus 1.37 lakh from men, signaling a clear gender skew in favour of women at the application stage. Even in 2022, the first year of CUET, registration numbers remained nearly equal – 87,622 female candidates and 87,523 male candidates. Women applying for CUET-UG, however, have been rising — from 4.29 lakh out of total 9.68 lakh in 2022 to 6.47 lakh out of 13.54 lakh this year. 'Whenever a centralised external examination is introduced, students are forced to rely on coaching centres to cope with the overly competitive situation. This, however, disproportionately puts women at a disadvantage, as fewer families are willing to invest in coaching for daughters,' said Anita Rampal, former Dean of Education at Delhi University. 'Taking the entrance examination online could be a key reason behind the decline in enrollments among female students,' said Poonam Batra, former professor at the Central Institute of Education, DU. 'Multiple studies have consistently shown that girls, especially from marginalised and even modest backgrounds, have limited access to digital devices and typically gain access to online opportunities after entering higher education. In this case, many female students may not have had adequate access to online study materials. On the other hand, male students are more likely to access cyber cafés to practice for online tests, something girls in many parts of the country are simply not encouraged to do,' Batra added. An official from the university, however, had a different explanation for the dip. 'Since the entrance test has become centralised, it is giving female students more options to choose from higher education institutions closer to their homes. This might be one of the reasons for the drop in female student numbers,' the official said.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Delhi's Class XII Pass Percentage Jumps From 88 To 98 In A Decade
New Delhi: Over the past decade, Delhi's Class XII Board exam results witnessed a transformation, reflecting a significant shift in educational outcomes. According to data from the Delhi govt, the overall pass percentage surged from 88.11% in 2014-15 to 98.04% in 2014-15 to 2016-17, the pass percentage hovered around the 88% mark, showing little variation. "However, a crucial turning point came in 2017-18 when the pass rate crossed the 90% threshold for the first time, reaching 90.64%," said a Delhi govt official. This upward momentum accelerated in 2018-19, with the pass percentage reaching 96.53%, a jump that set the stage for a period of sustained trend continued, with record highs of 99.08% in 2019-20 and 99.97% in 2020-21, a spike largely attributed to the relaxed evaluation criteria introduced during the pandemic, as noted by education experts. Although the pass percentage dipped slightly in subsequent years, it remained strong, reaching 98.04% in 2023-24, reflecting a lasting positive shift in student performance. According to educators, a combination of improved teaching methods, targeted foundational programmes, and better student support, including remedial classes and counselling, may have helped students perform better. Some also point to growing competition and the pressure for better career prospects as key factors driving this number of students appearing for the Class XII Board exams fluctuated significantly over this period. "In 2014-15, around 1.4 lakh students sat for the exams, but this number gradually declined to approximately 1.1 lakh by 2017-18. By 2022-23, the figure peaked at 2.3 lakh, and in 2023-24, it was about 1.5 lakh," the official added. Experts attribute these variations to a mix of demographic changes, shifting education policies, and the disruptive impact of the pandemic, which significantly influenced student attendance in some academic say this overall upward trend in pass percentages is the result of a combination of systemic reforms and targeted interventions. Continuous and comprehensive evaluation processes have made assessments more reflective of actual learning, allowing students to score better. The availability of better educational resources, technology, and support has also played a crucial role in this progress. Schools have adapted to these changing needs, with many adopting innovative teaching methods, personalised learning approaches, and digital resources to enhance student Kumar, principal of Govt Co-Ed Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Sector-21 Rohini, explained that a blend of long-term and short-term planning has been critical in improving results. "We adopted suggestions from students, teachers, parents, and school management committees. To bridge learning gaps, we implemented bridge courses and personalised tutorial classes, promoting one-on-one teacher-student interactions," he said. In line with the Digital India initiative, students and teachers have also been encouraged to utilise platforms like DIKSHA, PM e-Vidya, and Swayam Prabha for supplementary learning. According to teachers, the spike in pass percentages during the pandemic can be attributed to a significant shift in the evaluation system. Unlike the traditional, exam-centric approach, schools adopted more flexible internal assessments and lenient grading criteria, leading to unprecedented pass rates. "During Covid, schools had the freedom to assess students more holistically, moving away from rigid, high-stakes exams. This approach, combined with better teacher training, greatly improved students' performance," said a Delhi govt school teacher. Teachers feel a high pass percentage in Class XII Board exams is crucial because it directly impacts students' future academic and career opportunities. "Outstanding results are important in today's competitive scenario. Many scholarships and financial aid programmes also rely on Board marks, providing critical financial support to deserving students. Additionally, good scores can boost confidence and motivation, laying a strong foundation for higher studies and career growth," said a professor.
