EducationPolicy – Delhi College Bars Hundreds Over Attendance Shortfall
EducationPolicy – Nearly 465 students enrolled at Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences for Women have been declared ineligible to appear in the upcoming end-semester examinations after failing to meet the attendance criteria prescribed by University of Delhi. The move has once again brought the debate around strict attendance rules in colleges into public discussion.
College Enforces Mandatory Attendance Requirement
According to an official notice issued by the college administration, students must maintain a minimum attendance of 66.67 per cent to qualify for semester examinations. Those falling below the required percentage have been barred from appearing in the exams scheduled for the current academic session.
The notice further instructed individual departments to circulate the names of attendance defaulters through official class communication groups so that students remain informed about their academic standing before the examinations begin.
College authorities stated that the rules were implemented in line with university guidelines and that no exemptions could be granted outside the prescribed framework.
Principal Says Rules Must Be Followed Uniformly
Speaking on the matter, principal Payal Maggo said the institution was obligated to enforce the university’s attendance regulations without exception. She noted that students who failed to achieve the minimum required attendance percentage could not be permitted to sit for the examinations.
Officials at the college maintained that attendance norms are intended to ensure regular classroom participation and academic engagement throughout the semester. The administration also indicated that departments had already informed students periodically about their attendance status before the final notification was issued.
Semester-Wise Data Reveals Highest Number in Second Semester
Attendance records released by the college showed that Semester 2 accounted for the largest number of students facing disqualification. A total of 181 students from the semester were marked ineligible, representing nearly 39 per cent of all attendance shortage cases reported by the institution.
Semester 6 recorded the second-highest number, with 113 students barred from examinations. Semester 4 followed closely with 112 students declared ineligible, while Semester 8 reported 59 such cases.
The figures highlighted the institution’s strict interpretation of attendance rules, with even students missing the required percentage by a small margin reportedly facing disqualification from examinations.
Attendance Debate Continues Across Delhi University
The development has reignited conversations among students and educators regarding the practicality of rigid attendance policies in higher education institutions. Over the years, many students across University of Delhi colleges have argued that balancing academics with internships, skill-development programmes, competitive examination preparation, and long daily commutes remains challenging.
Several students have previously raised concerns that fixed attendance requirements may not adequately reflect the changing nature of academic learning and professional preparation. Supporters of stricter rules, however, argue that regular classroom interaction remains essential for maintaining academic standards and discipline within universities.
The issue continues to generate discussion as institutions attempt to balance flexibility with academic accountability in an evolving education environment.