Addressing the Contention of Inclusivity for UCEED 2018 at IIIT Delhi

Concerns have been raised regarding the admissions policies of IIIT Delhi for the Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) 2018. Specifically, the debate centers on the perceived restriction of admissions to Delhi candidates only. This article aims to provide clarity on the UCEED admissions process, the rationale behind current policies, and the concerns surrounding the distribution of seats between JEE and UCEED.

Overview of UCEED and Its Eligibility

IIIT Delhi, part of the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT Delhi), maintains that its admissions for UCEED are not restricted to Delhi candidates. UCEED is a national-level examination, and candidates from across India are eligible to apply for admission to the design programs at IIIT Delhi and other participating institutions. The official stance is that any candidate who has appeared for UCEED can apply for admission, irrespective of their location.

Historical Context and Controversies

Historically, the seat matrix for 2017 excluded outside Delhi candidates from using UCEED for admissions. This decision was perceived as unfair and potentially illegal, as it denied a national-level exam to candidates outside Delhi. The rationale for this exclusion was not fully explained and raised significant questions about the fairness of the admission process.

Current Admission Criteria and Policy Changes

While it is acknowledged that specific admission criteria can vary from year to year, the current year’s policies should be based on the most recent information available from the official IIIT Delhi website and the UCEED official site. As of now, there is no publicly announced seat matrix for 2018 admissions, but if you are from outside Delhi and interested in the CSD course at IIITD, it is recommended that you write to them to voice your concerns.

Proposed Solutions and Rebuttals

Several solutions have been proposed to address the concerns regarding seat distribution. One common suggestion is to rotate the seats between JEE and UCEED annually. This approach is often adopted in admissions where the number of seats is limited, ensuring a fair distribution. For instance, UCEED rotates the PwD seat across four categories. Similarly, this rotation policy can be applied to the 7 seats that were allocated through JEE last year. Consequently, these seats should be allocated through UCEED this year.

Call to Action

Given the historical context and the current debate, it is crucial for candidates from outside Delhi to actively engage with IIIT Delhi. Writing to them, expressing your views, and registering your concerns may lead to a more inclusive and fair admissions process. Here is a link to an anonymized response from someone discussing this issue:

Can everybody who appeared for the UCEED 2018 mail IIITD to create supernumerary seats for non-Delhi candidates not violating the 85 reservation criteria for Delhi candidates

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that the admission process is transparent and equitable for all candidates.