Dhritiman Ray vs University Of Delhi & Ors

Prathiba M. Singh, J

This hearing has been done by video conferencing.

Vide order dated 14th December, 2020, the following directions were issued to the University of Delhi (hereinafter ‘DU’):

“3. In the meantime, ld. counsel appearing for the DU may seek instructions on the following:

i. The timelines and procedure for issuance of digital degree certificates after announcement of semester-wise results.

ii. The timelines for transmission of data for uploading on Digilocker in respect of all students in all the courses of DU.â€​

An affidavit has been filed by DU in relation to the above directions. The relevant portions of the said affidavit reads:

“4. It is further submitted that as per Executive Council Resolution dated 16-2-1993 degree can be “Advance degree before

convocationâ€​ if student is leaving country to pursue higher studies.

All other students can apply for provisional certificate and the University of Delhi has started issuing digital provisional certificate.

So far the University has sent data of degree of 27000 students of 2017 to digiLocker and within a month’s time entire data of 2017

will be transferred to digiLocker followed by 2018 and so on.â€​

The above affidavit, is not satisfactory inasmuch as no specific timelines have been given for the issuance of digital degree certificates and for

transmission of data to digilocker. The affidavit is quite cryptic.

Professor D.S. Rawat (Dean, Examinations) and Dr. Sanjeev Singh (Director, DUCC) from DU have joined the proceedings today. This court is of

the opinion that in order to ensure that there is a comprehensive, streamlined procedure for declaration of results, issuance of transcripts, marksheets

and degree certificates, etc., DU ought to have a prescribed timeline for the implementation of the following:

i. Timeline for declaration of results after conclusion of the last exam in a particular semester for under-graduate and post-graduate courses;

ii. Timeline for issuance of marksheets/ transcripts or making the same available online after the declaration of results;

iii. Timeline for issuance of digital transcripts for such students who may require the same for further education or for employment;

iv. Timeline for transmission of data relating to marksheets/ transcripts to Digilocker after the same has been announced by DU;

v. Timeline for issuance of provisional degree certificates or advance degree certificates after declaration of results;

vi. Timeline for holding the convocation on an annual basis;

vii. Timeline for issuance of actual degrees both in digital form and paper degrees;

viii. Timeline for transmission of the digital degrees/ paper degrees to Digilocker.

Accordingly, DU shall file a comprehensive affidavit providing the timelines and procedure in respect of the above steps, so that students are not

inconvenienced every semester and are not forced to approach the Court for obtaining their transcripts, marksheets, degree certificates, etc., as has

happened in the present petitions, which are under consideration by this Court. Let the affidavit be filed within six weeks.

Mr. Sarthak Maggon, ld. counsel for the Petitioners submits that he is indisposed today. Accordingly, list for further hearing on 17th February, 2021.