Streamlined Procedure With Proper Deadlines Needed For Issuance of Degree Certificates, Marksheets Etc: Delhi HC Tells Delhi University

In light of the said observation, the Single Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh has directed the Dean of Examination of the Delhi University to suggest a proper schedule and timeline for issuance of degree certificates and other related documents as also the respective officers who would be personally responsible for the same.

The order has come in a writ petition moved by a Delhi University student who was unable to complete the admission process for a Master's Programme in Universities abroad due to the non issuance of his undergraduate degree by the Delhi University.

The Petitioner has submitted that despite being graduated in 2017, the University has still not provided him with his degree.

He further submitted that he was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship by King's College London, however, the same could not materialize due to the non-filing of the degree certificate in time.

The court was further informed by the Petitioner that one final opportunity is available to him to avail a scholarship from Glasgow University and if the degree certificate is not immediately uploaded by him on the portal, even the said opportunity is likely to be lost.

The Delhi University, on the other hand, submitted that the reason for non-issuance of the degree certificate is lack of proper quality paper and that the contract with the printer has also expired.

While expressing its dissatisfaction towards the response given by the Delhi University, the court observed that:

'such an excuse does not justify the non-issuance of the degree certificate for a period of three long years, resulting in irreparable damage to the Petitioner's further studies. The DU ought to facilitate the process of obtaining degree certificates by students and should, in fact, provide all possible assistance to students who wish to pursue further education and career opportunities. Instead, it is clear from the correspondence on record that the Petitioner's repeated requests for issuance of his degree certificate has not materialised.'

In light of these facts, the court highlighted that there needs to be a more streamlined process in place for issuance of degrees and certificates so that inconvenience is not caused to the students.

As far as this case is concerned, the court directed the counsel appearing for the Delhi University to obtain instructions and make a statement as to in what manner the degree certificate can be given to the Petitioner at the earliest and in any case, before 10th July, 2020.

The Petitioner in this case was represented by Advocate Sarthak Maggon

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