THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, February 1: A major admission controversy has erupted at Nilamber Pitamber University (NPU), putting Vice Chancellor Dr Dinesh Kumar Singh at the centre of a political and academic storm over NEP-based degree admissions for the 2025–29 session.
Admissions under the National Education Policy (NEP) are conducted online through the Chancellor’s portal. The Vice Chancellor is accused of being selective and discriminatory while opening the portal.
Old affiliated degree colleges allege that they were blocked from accessing the portal, while students were allowed to apply only to government degree colleges through the single-window system. The affiliated colleges have termed this move discriminatory, injudicious, and damaging to students’ academic interests.
Charge of Favouritism Towards Government Colleges
Another major accusation is that the VC showed favouritism towards newer government degree colleges, sidelining long-established affiliated colleges during the admission process.
Government Colleges With Shockingly Low Admissions
Official data for NEP admissions 2025–29 reveals a grim picture of higher education in Jharkhand.
Two government degree colleges recorded fewer than 100 admissions:
- Degree College Chhatarpur – 97 admissions
- Model Degree College Garhwa – 96 admissions
Even more alarming is Government Mahila Degree College, Dharampur (Latehar), which has just 46 admissions for a four-year degree programme.
Such figures highlight the crisis in government higher education institutions in the state.
Jharkhand Lags in Gross Enrolment Ratio
Jharkhand continues to trail in the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER). According to the All India Survey of Higher Education 2021–22, the national GER stood at 28.4 percent, while Jharkhand’s GER was only 18.6 percent, lower even than the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The NEP target is 50 percent GER by 2035, raising serious questions about whether Jharkhand can bridge this gap.
VC Defends Decision, Cites Admission Imbalance
Responding to The Jharkhand Story Network, VC Dr Dinesh Kumar Singh defended his actions, saying equity in admissions was necessary.
He cited examples:
- G C P Agrawal College, Chhatarpur (affiliated) – 2,964 admissions
vs Government Degree College, Chhatarpur – 97 admissions - A K S College, Hussainabad (affiliated) – 2,190 admissions
vs Government Degree College – 166 admissions - BS College, Latehar (affiliated) – 1,280 admissions
vs Government Mahila Degree College, Dharampur – 46 admissions
Calling this a lopsided admission pattern, the VC said government colleges were “starving for students” while affiliated colleges were overburdened.
Portal Access May Reopen If Ordered
On blocking portal access, the VC said the university is awaiting directions from the Lok Bhavan. If instructed, another round of admissions for protesting colleges will be conducted on priority.
Political Pressure Mounts
The issue has drawn political attention, with MP Vishnu Dayal Ram and Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore expressing displeasure over the move. The VC denied any bias, prejudice, or favouritism, stating that the first-semester exam schedule is already out and any re-admission process would follow official orders.
Overall Admission Picture Remains Weak
Nilamber Pitamber University has 24 degree colleges with a combined 22,246 admissions for the 2025–29 NEP session, averaging less than 1,000 students per college—a worrying sign for higher education in the region.
The Lok Bhavan has directed that admissions must conclude by September every year to prevent academic delays.
